Welcome to the 2004 version of a family record that I maintained for five
years in the mid-1980's. The directory has changed from a photocopied to
an electronic format, but I have maintained the same information. In the
many years since I last did this, events like births and deaths, marriages
and divorces, graduations and new jobs, changes of address and retirements
have all occurred. Please help me update these events and keep the record
current by post or email.
The basic criterion I used previously in deciding whom to include was
the surname: anyone who was born into the Reith family or married into
the family and carried the name at one time or another was included. As
before, however, certain problems present themselves in determining whom
to include:
1. How far should records extend when a female Reith marries outside the
family and takes a new family name? Are her children Reith members?
Her grandchildren? Her husband?
What I have done: I have included her children but stopped
at that generation.
2. Conversely, how far back should we go in defining the family? That
is, I have a record for Franz Liebich, Grandmother Ida's father.
Is he a member of the family?
What I have done: nothing because there are insufficient records
to worry about the problem yet.
3. Are children of females who marry into the family considered Reith
family members?
What I have done: I have included them.
4. What happens when a female marries a Reith but does not use the
Reith name? Is she a member of the family?
What I have done: I have included her.
5. What happens when a female who has married into the family divorces?
What I have done? Most likely the name will be deleted from the
database, even if she continues to use the Reith name.
6. How do I identify the parents of a Reith family member when the
mother divorces and does/does not retain the Reith name?
What I have done: I probably will maintain the name as a parent for
the children's entries, separating the parents' names with a semicolon
(rather than using "and") and using whatever surname I have for her,
prefacing any new name with "Reith."
7. Is the husband of a female Reith who marries and assumes a new
name a member of the Reith family? That's a tough call: he's
never been nor will be a Reith, but in fact could be closer "family"
than even biological members.
What I have done: I have excluded them but usually make a note about
them or their contributions as part of the wife's entry. This is not
cast in stone nor is it sacred.
8. What happens to the adopted child of a female Reith who marries and
takes a new name? The child is not biologically a Reith, nor is the
family name Reith, though the adopting mother is biologically a Reith.
What I have done: I will leave the decision to the parent.
In time, I will add an index, an html function to go immediately to a
name, and some kind of search capability. Until then, it will be a bit
cumbersome to find a person, but anyone who was previously listed (and
one or two whom I missed) are here. Perhaps some kind of password that
would permit only members of the Reith family to access the information
would also be possible, but I will need some help from the techies among
you. I am not a genealogist and do not know how to construct a family
chart; please help me if you have talent in that area. The order of
names here generally follows that in the previous hardcopy editions,
though I have begun to do a little grouping, with many of the deceased
members (indicated by a "+" preceding the name) entered first and I
have put some families together. I will also print this out after it
has been substantially revised and make a limited number of hard copies,
as before, and send them out; they can be easily photocopied at your
local Kinko's if you prefer that format.
In the meantime, click here for a tentative alphabetical name list.
To search for any name otherwise, use "control" + "f" and type in the name.
[This is a is a very old file and I will get around to updating it - sometime!]
Records for "Reith" at Crown Point Cemetery in Kokomo may be found online
here . That record includes photographs of some memorials.
The Kokomo Tribune's genealogy website also has a worthwhile database.
Bless.
DIRECTORY OF THE REITH FAMILY
+ ALBERT (DUCK) MARTIN REITH
Born: August 26, 1912, Kokomo, Indiana
Parents: Ida and Joseph Reith
Brothers/Sisters: Emil, Herman, Karl, John, Joseph, Josephine,
Lewis, Rose, William
Spouse: Marry K. Yenna Reith (married June 26, 1937)
Children: Ellen Jane, james
Died: November 10, 1991, Kokomo, Indiana
Burial: Crown Point Cemetery, Kokomo, Indiana
Uncle Albert, known by his nickname as "Duck" (all the Reith
kids had nicknames), was educated at Purdue University and
worked at Stellite as a metallurgist. He was David J. Reith's
godfather.
___________________________________________________________________
+ ANN DYER REITH
Born: September 16, 1908, Knoxville, Tennessee
Spouse: Emil Reith (married December 26, 1933)
Children: Edward, Judith, Madonna, Rebecca, Robert
Died: February 6, 1994
Burial:
Aunt Ann lived for many years in the old family house on Vaile
Avenue in Kokomo; when her health declined, she moved to live
with Becky. She used to make the kids take hot plates of food
back to Jasper's and to Gooby and his father on Markland Avenue.
She was an excellent seamstress who made David's Dutch costume
for a piano recital in honor of Father van Teel at St. Joan of
Arc in about 1950.
August 8, 2004
___________________________________________________________________
+ BETTY LOU MCCREA REITH
Born: December 3, 1923, South Bend, Indiana
Spouse: John Edward Reith
Children: Catherine, Christopher, Kevin, Michael, Susan, Timothy
Died: March 30, 1997 (Easter Sunday)
Burial:
Betty and John Reith were a wonderful team. She worked with Uncle
John cultivating various fruits in the yard. She also enjoyed
programs like Masterpiece Theater on PBS. The homilies read by
Uncle John and Susan at her funeral are found below:
Susan's Eulogy
We have all come together today to honor and remember my mother.
She chose to go quietly, without a fuss and to those who knew my
mother, that is just what you would expect. She was a private person
with a quiet manner. But during our last few weeks with her she made
a strong and powerful statement about the preciousnes of life .. each
and every day that she was able to remain with us.
Although it's been a sorrowful time leading to today, it hasn't been
all sadness. This past year, I got the chance to see another side of
my mother, to see her as a person, not just a mom. I was continually
amazed by her strength, courage, and most of all, her sense of humor.
Our family has always managhed to get together despite the distances
that separate us. This past year those get togethers became even more
special as we were made aware of our limited time with our mother.
Although it's difficult to be so aware of someone's passing away, my
mother made sure things carried on with the same humor as was typical
of our family.
She has never been one to complain or call attention to herself. An
apt description I recently read, "She'll bloom where she's planted" in
the perfect image of my mother. She always struggled to make things
perfect for those around her and to make the most of every moment.
During her illness, simple things becadme special. We all cherished
her "good" days and had many happy moments.
But my most treasured memory of these past months will be the image
of my mother so surrounded by the love of family and friends. Although
she received wonderful support through all her caring nurses and aides,
it was in my father that she knew she had the best nurse in town. For
despite her cancer, my mother "glowed" in my father's care. Her
continual smile and upbeat attitude were evidence of that. As my
youngest son said of my mom during her last month ... she looks like
sleeping beauty ... I can't express it any better.
Although we will miss my mother terribly, she lives on in all of us.
Her strength, courage and love fills us all, and helps us move forward.
**************************************************************************
Uncle John's Eulogy
MOM
Thank you for having come to honor Betty, for a life that gave so many
people happiness. What she was and did is known best by me and our
children, but I believe also known to many of you who are not family.
I say honor Betty, or "mom" as she was always called by not only our
children but by me. I say honor her because she was a great person;
a humble person and because of her humility a greater person. And
today is really a day of celebration for a wonderful life that had to
end at some point in time. She was 73, old enough to have seen me
through several health crises, and with it all raise six children of
whom we were both so very proud. They are grown up now, the youngest
Chris is 31, and all happily married. Chris at 31 is the same age I
was, as the youngest of ten children when my own mother died. I won't
give the ages of the other five, not because it might embarrass them,
but because I'd probably get them wrong: but in increasing age they are
Kevin, Sue, Tim, Mick, and Cath.
It upsets me when people say and act as if a life is not complete unless
the woman has a career outside the home. What more important job is
there to raise a family with loving care, and pass on to the children
what that parent has learned is important in life. What better
contribution to others: I stress others because Betty herself
was so unselfish. What better contributions to others than to raise six
children, that at this point in time have produced 12 grandchildren.
People argue about the contribution of genes versus environment. All I
know is that Betty has passed both on in abundance. She was only one
person but each of the six children is 1/2 mom so there is the equivalent
of three more Bettys. This is often forgotten. And there are to date
12 grandchildren, each of whom is one-quarter mom. That three more
Bettys. So her qualities and actual presence are still here, in
multiple others. And each of these 18 persons is already affecting
the lives of many others. I challenge any company CEO to make that
claim.
Betty was 73 when she died. If she had lived one or even five years
longer the loss and sadness we feel today would still be the same.
It is a fact of life that most children outlive their parents and have
to bear the burden of being a survivor. But how much sadder it is if
a parent loses a child, especially at an early age. Our family has
been spared that and for that we are grateful. But eventually death
comes to all of us.
Betty was so patient with her illness. As always, she could find some
humor is most things. I saw her cry just twice these last months, for
about five seconds. You could get a smile out of her easily, up to
the last several days before she died. In fact she was so upbeat that
the kids had trouble judging her condition because she always hid the
pain. They had to learn from me what her real condition was.
I'd like to close on a lighter note. Many of you may not know that
Betty was a very good athlete. Golf was her first love and she played
it almost every day, even through winter. At first any winter day was
playable if the temperature was not below 45. Later it was any day
that snow was not on the course. Then the rule became any day when
you didn't expect to lose more than two balls in the snow. It took a
while but toward the end she was beating me so often I decided I'd
enjoy the game more as her caddy and that is what I became and was for
the last several years. She was a good bowler and I remember once
when a neighborhood group asked her to fill in one day. She hadn't
bowled for over twenty years but that day she rolled a 200 game. I
don't recall that they ever asked her again. She was a superb bridge
player and usually brought home the prize, as many of you here today
can confirm. But ping pong was the game where she excelled the most.
She became so good at ping-pong that toward the later years she could
run me ragged. She was very competitive and would always caution me:
"Don't play to let me win." And I never did. She used to drive
Kevin wild when he was about twelve by beating him at ping-pong.
Remember Kev, how mad you'd get and you'd throw the paddle after some
of those games. But mom would caution you: stop losing your temper
or I won't play you anymore. But the games went on. But it wasan't
easy for a 12 year old boy to get beat at ping pong by his mother.
But she wasn't a soccer mom: instead she was a 24 hour a day mom.
I couldn't get her to take a vacation without the kids until Chris was
about twelve, when he could stay overnight at his married sister Cathy,
when we took our trip to Spain.
Finallly I want to read something that I wrote 25 years ago when Chris
was 6 and Kevin 11 and the other kids ranged in age from 18-24. I
thought then that I might soon die from a serious heart valve problem.
I wrote this letter and put it in the safe deposit box for someone to
find after I had died. But of course God's ways are unpredictable.
Just recently I retrieved the letter. But what I wrote then applies
very much to mom dying first, with me surviving to care for her in
these last days.
Letter to Chris and Kev
Dear Chris and Kev,
I just got word today that I had a "heart murmur" and it reminded me
of what I have thought about often: that both of you are still quite
young and haven't had to bear much of the pain that life eventually
brings, at times, to all of us. Life is usually a happy state and
should be enjoyed; but one must be careful that we not let the loss
of something we prize, upset us too much. It is harder to understand
this when you are little, so I'm going to give you some advice. Even
if it does not help immediately, you may be able to use it later on.
First, be thankful for all the blessings you have received. As
an example, my life with you is something that did not have to be. My
own father died when I was two years old. Perhaps it was easier for
me not to remember him. But I think it would have been better if
I had been able to have him around a while longer. What is long
enough? There is no answer. We gain most from our parents the first
years and less as each year goes by. Kevin, I believe you get less
from me now than you used to. You are becoming more yourself;
you, Chris, get less from me now than you did when you were younger.
You, too, are becoming more and more a distinct person, who requires
less from me.
You of course act like you need things from me; to put you to bed,
to watch you build, to take bike rides with you. But of course you
don't really need me for those things. It is just nice to have me
around, in the same way it has been nice to have you around. But you
will grow as a person and be a better person, as you gradually need
other people less, and exercise all those good qualities which
hopefully you and I together have worked on to make you a very special
person.
I have directed most of this first letter to Chris because I believe
he has a greater need. But I mean it also for you Kevin. You are a
very special person. The same holds for you, Sue, you Tim, you Mich,
you Cath, and your mom. Notice I went up the age ladder: your needs
to handle crises should get less, and your strength to handle them
get stronger as you get older.
My main advice is be good to each other! Love one another! Help one
another! Try not only to make your own lives better but also try to
improve and make happier the lives of others, especially your own
family. As I have said before to you: the thing that will bring you
the greatest happiness is to make others happy. It may sound like
a contradiction but it is not. It will all come back to you. Christ
said it would come back a hundred fold! Who am I to argue that
number.
Love: Dad
This letter was weritten in 1972 when I first learned that I had a
serious heart murmur. I wrote this letter in long hand and put it
in my safety deposit box to read in case I died.
Love to you all
Dad
__________________________________________________________________
+ CAROLINA REITH
Born: 1832
Spouse: Jerome (Hieronymous) Reith
Children: Charles Francis (Chink), Joseph [Ida's husband], John
Died: 1917 [Buried February 17, 1917]
Burial: Crown Point Cemetery, Kokomo, Indiana
Just wondering: was this the family that Ida Liebich moved to stay with
when she moved to Kokomo?
__________________________________________________________________
+ CHARLES (UNCLE CHARLIE) REITH
Born: 1857
Spouse: Ida Reith
Children:
Died: [April 27, 1934?]
Burial: Crown Point Cemetery, Kokomo, Indiana
Charles Reith was Grandmother Ida Reith's second husband after her
husband Joseph died; this Charles was a cousin to her first husband.
As noted by Uncle John, his German name was actually Karl (Charles in
English) and he was called Uncle Charlie by the kids.
The following information is from The Ellis Island Foundation
and is a pure guess that this is the same person (the dates match):
First Name: Karl
Last Name: Reith
Ethnicity: US
Last Place of Residence: Kokomo, Ind.
Date of Arrival: Oct 12, 1922
Age at Arrival: 65
Gender: M
Marital Status: S
Ship of Travel: Resolute
Port of Departure: Hamburg
Manifest Line Number: 0019
This must be Charles (= Karl in German)?, although there are other
Karls in the immigration database; this one, however, has a Kokomo
residence and the age is exact. There is a record in the online
Crown Point Cemetery records indicating someone named "Carl", whose age
was 77 and who would have been born in 1857, died on April 27, 1934.
This must be the same man. There is no photograph in the online
records of the memorial.
___________________________________________________________________
+ CHARLES E. (GOOB, or SERGEANT) REITH
Born: June 22, 1920, Kokomo, Indiana
Parents: Mary Hazel Thompson and Charles F. Reith
Sister: Mary Frances Balogh
Died: February 15, 2004, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Burial: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia
Reired from Fisher Engineering, Charles was always famous as a
first-class inventor. He served as a sergeant in World War II with
the Army Air Force in Europe and held memberships in the Veterans of
Foreign Wars and the American Legion. He also held First Class
Commercial and Amateur (Ham) Radio licenses and formerly owned a
radio shop at the corner of Vaile Avenue and Locke Street in Kokomo.
One of his long-standing questions was how to pronounce correctly the
family name. He lived in Huntington in his later years.
Personal Letter from Harry Reith to David Reith
March 5, 2004
Dear David,
Enclosed find Eulogy for Charles E. Reith. I was delighted
when Joe Jacobs (Charles' nephew) asked me to help with Charles's
funeral. Several things impressed me about Charles. There were
things that Charles did that set him apart from others. First of
all, he was ahead of his time. He had such a great vision of
electronics. I never knew of him to be a great reader, either, but
he had such command of his field. I am also certain that Philo
Farnsworth and Charles discussed, at great length, radio and
television waves and everything connected with it. The second
thing that impressed me about Charles was that his dad, "Chink,"
had a wonderful relationshiip with Charles, where father taught son
so many things. These were logical thinking, manliness, and love.
I saw the love displayed many times. Years ago, Charles would stop
at my Grandmother Collins' home (my mother's mother). The purpose
of the visit was twofold. Nellie (my grandmother) was always to
happy to see Charles. Nellie made Charles the focal popint. Nellie
loved Charles because Charles made the effort to come and see my
Grandmother and more importantly my Grandmother loved to hear
Charles "boast" about Nellie's "good coffee" and "delicious pie."
They were a great team. It is obvious that their friendship worked
because I remember their lesson so well by their good camaraderie.
Charles never stayed too long because I'm sure that he didn't want to
be a "bore" to anyone. Then he would be "gone with the wind" until
the next time. Charles had complete command when he talked on short
wave. C.B. radio or Morse Code. A true expert, very quick, accurate
and his thoughts expressed easily.
Charles suffered like everyone else with old age but when the
going got tough he would head to the Veteran's Hospital for
treatment. His other great love was his membership at the Veterans
of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. He enjoyed his friends and
acquaintainces. Everyone loved Charles. I will miss Charles but
I'm glad that I had the opportunity to know him.
Harry J. Reith
Eulogy Given at Funeral for Charles Reith
February 19, 2004
by Harry J. Reith
"A true genius rearranges material in a way never seen before."
Charles Reith was a genius. Let me tell you why.
During WW II, Charles was in the United States Army. He was
dispatched to England because at the time Radar was coming into its
prominence. Charles, along with others, perfected the radar technique.
Because of that fact, England was spared because they had knowledge
(by radar) that Hitler had sent rockets to destroy England. The
rockets were demolished. Charles was awarded medals for this
accomplishment.
Charles Reith invented a one inch television receiver. It was a
marvel to all that looked at the picture.
Now I want to go back into Charles's early life. He was born in
1920, four or five years after his sister, Mary Frances. Shortly after
Charles's birth, the parents separated, His sister, Mary Frances, went
to the Fort Wayne orphanage to live. Charles stayed in Kokomo and lived
with his father. The true genius began to surface for Charles. He did
not like school. He played a lot of "hooky." During these days he
would go to the Kokomo dumping ground where everyone took their trash.
Charles, would, I'm quoting, "rearrange old material in a way never seen
before." He was building talking devices. He talked to many an operator.
Again and again, he stayed away from school. One day when Charles was
coming back from the dump, a car stopped, asked Charles if he would like
a ride to his home. It was a Catholic priest who caught Charles "red
handed" with material from the dump and of course not in school. I
never knew the outcome of that car ride back to his home. Apparently,
he was not intimidated. I have been told that Charles had very little
formal education. The point to be made is that Charles never lost
focus of his genius and love of electronics. His discovery and
research was "pure" - not contaminated with "you must learn to succeed."
It is obvious that Charles was ahead of his time.
He came to Ft. Wayne, worked with a prominent person in radio and
TV. His name was Farnsworth. Charles and Farnsworh spent many a day
and night inventing vacuum radio tubes and perfecting colored TV.
Some time later, Charles left Magnavox and went to Huntington, Indiana,
where he worked at Fisher Engineering for the rest of his working career.
It was during that time that Charles's one inch TV went to the Museum
of Science and Industry to the famous actress, Coleen Moore. Her hobby
was a doll house. It was Victorian in nature. It is on display today
at the museum. At any rate, Ms. Moore realized that TV was not to be
in a Victorian doll house. She gave the TV to the Radio Corporation
of America. They tried to make it work. They failed. So Charles was
asked to come to the museum to see if he could make the TV work on
their signal. I went with him. I was only 14 or 15 at the time. I
always recall borrowing my brother Jack's "zoot suit." Oh, was I
tickled to be invited. We arrived at the museum. We were directed to
the RCA engineers. They asked Charles very professional questions about
signals. Charles said nothing. He went to the TV, took a small screw
driver from hs shirt pocket, inserted the screw driver on a screw, made
one small twist - Bravo - a perfect TV picture. The engineers shook
their heads in amazement. Seeing was believing. They were impressed.
So what is the lesson to be learned from Charles Reith today?
It is this: Charles learned early on that God was in command. Charles
also recognized that God had created him and that God would always
watch over him. Charles gave his worries to God. He practiced the
10 commandments to the letter. Because he tried to obey God's law,
he then enjoyed Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.
If you follow Charles's plan as God gave it to him, you too will
enjoy everything that God has planned for you and me.
Harry J. Reith
Obituary
[Source of Obituary Unknown]
Charles E. "Sergeant" Reith, 83, 1405 Garfield St. [Huntington,
Indiana], died at 8 p.m. Sunday (Feb. 15, 2004) at the Hospice Home of
Northeast Indiana, Fort Wayne.
Mr. Reith served with the Army Air Force and later the United States
Air Force for 25 years, achieving the rank of sergeant. He was on active
during World War II, Korean Conflict, and the Berlin Crisis. During the
Vietnam War, he operated a ham radio to link wounded military men on
medical ships with their families. During the Persian Gulf War. he
invented a device to be used with gas masks.
He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, Huntington. He belonged
to Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2689 and American Legion Post 85, both
in Huntington.
He was born June 22, 1920, in Kokomo, a son of Charles F. and
Mary Thompson Reith.
Survivors include two cousins, Denny Reith and Dr. Harry Reith, both
of Fort Wayne; and a nepher, Joe Jacobs, Commerce, Michigan.
A sister, Mary Balow [sic], is deceased.
Calling is from 1-2 p.m. Thursday at Deal-Robbins & Van Gilder
Funeral Home, Huntington Chapel, followed by services at 2 p.m. Father
Daniel Leeuw will officiate and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2689 will
conduct military services. Burial will be at Arlington National
Cemetery, Washington, D.C.
Memorial contributions may be made to St, Jude Children's Hospital,
in case of Deal-Robins & Van Gilder Funeral Home, Hungton Chapel,
338 E. Washington St., Huntington, IN 46750.
Entered: March 1, 2004
___________________________________________________________________
+ CHARLES (CHINK) F[rancis?]. REITH
Born: February 2, 1882, Mannheim-Baden, Germany
Parents: Caroline and Jerome Reith
Brothers: Joseph [Ida's husband], John [died in Germany]
Spouse: Mary Hazel Reith
Children: Charles E., Mary Frances
Died: June 21, 1957, Kokomo, Indiana
Burial: Crown Point Cemetery, Kokomo, Indiana
Immigrated to the United States from Germany with his parents when
he was nine years old. Educated in Kokomo. Member of St. Joan of
Arc Church and employed by the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company in
Kokomo and in North Carolina.
___________________________________________________________________
+ CHARLOTTE REITH
Born:
Spouse: Lewis Reith
Children: Catherine, Dennis, Laura, Lois
Died: February 23, 1998
Burial:
Daughter of a jeweler, Aunt Charlotte lived many years with her
sister, Catherine Miller.
___________________________________________________________________
+ DANIEL EDWARD REITH
Born: December 19, 1968
Parents: Carolyn and William Reith
Brothers/Sisters: Angela, Diane, Donald, Jeffrey, Philip, Timothy
Died: December 19, 1968
Burial:
___________________________________________________________________
+ EMIL FREDERICK REITH
Born: June 3, 1905, Kokomo, Indiana
Parents: Ida and Joseph Reith
Brothers/Sisters: Albert, Herman, John, Joseph, Josephine, Lewis,
Karl, Rose, William
Spouse: Ann Dyer Reith (married December 26, 1933)
Children: Edward, Judith, Madonna, Rebecca, Robert
Died: January 12, 1975, Kokomo, Indiana
Burial: Crown Point Cemetery, Kokomo, Indiana
"....He was a good father. He held us in his lap when lightning
storms arose at night and the weeping willow swayed and the
leaves of the cottonwood were shaken by the wind... He took us
down to the Wildcat Crick for walks where we sometimes picked wild
violets. ....Eddie always fished. Don't ask how many pairs of
tennis shoes and fishing poles dad bought him! He went hunting
a lot with Eddie and Robert and took them to the museums in
Chicago once. (Hey! That was a big deal in those days!) In
the summer he took me across the "sand-field" to Drago's carnivals
and to Foster Park for the 4th of July fireworks. Or else we took
chairs up on the flat roof of the old garage and watched the
fireworks from there. (...I can almost feel the warm tar of the
roof at night in July on bare feet and legs...can almost smell the
tar.. ) People dropped by and chatted with dad, especially in the
summer. A strange collection ...Pood Suites, Eddie Gaston, Jaspar,
the Hedricks, Mose Walters, Wilbur Hoyt... Mostly, though, I
remmber dad as a simple, decent human being. He planted gardens
and loved his trees. He had a good sense of humor, but was so
shy...And he had his habits. He always fell asleep reading the
paper in the chair at night and he always sang "My Grandfather's
Clock" on Sunday morning and made ho'cakes and bacon for breakfast
after Sunday mass. There was no selfishness in dad...he never
said anything bad about other people... He was a wise man...a
man of wisdom in the spiritual sense...a humble man and a
sentimental man...The best of all possible fathers. ...I wish I
had told him that before he died. I hope he knew."
Judy
___________________________________________________________________
+HERMAN REITH, CSC
Born: August 14, 1915, Kokomo, Indiana
Parents: Ida and Joseph Reith
Brothers/Sisters: Albert, Emil, John, Joseph, Josephine, Karl,
Lewis, Rose, William
Died: July 7, 2006, Notre Dame (South Bend), Indiana
Burial: Holy Cross Cemetery, University of Notre Dame Photo
*****
Obituary in South Bend Tribune:
July 09. 2006 6:59AM
Rev. Herman R. Reith, C.S.C.
Aug. 14, 1915 - July 7, 2006
Source: http://www.southbendtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060709/OBITS/607090655
Fr. Herman Reith passed away early in the morning of July 7, 2006, in Holy
Cross House on the campus of his beloved Notre Dame. He was nearly 91 years
old, a Holy Cross religious for 72 years and a priest for 64.
Fr. Herman R. Reith, C.S.C., was born to Joseph and Ida (Liebich) Reith on
August 14, 1915, in Kokomo, Indiana. He attended St. Joan of Arc grade school
and two years of high school at St. Patrick, both in Kokomo. His last two
years of high school were at Holy Cross Seminary, Notre Dame. He graduated
in 1932.
After a year of further study he entered St. Joseph's Novitiate at Notre Dame
in July 1933. Before profession the entire novitiate was moved to Rolling
Prairie and it was there, on August 16, 1934, that Fr. Reith made his first
vows.
After two years at Notre Dame he went to Rome and studied philosophy at the
Gregorian [University,] receiving a PhB in 1938. Moving to Holy Cross College
in Washington, D.C., for theology he received an STB in 1940 and was ordained
to the priesthood at Sacred Heart Church, Notre Dame, on June 24, 1942.
Fr. Reith's first assignment was to study philosophy at Notre Dame. After
earning a master's degree in 1944 he began doctoral studies at Laval
University in Quebec, receiving his doctorate in 1945.
Until moving to Holy Cross House in December 2001, Fr. Reith spent 56 years
doing what he most loved to do: teaching philosophy. He taught at Notre Dame
and resided at Moreau Seminary from 1945 until 1949 when he moved to the
University of Portland. He taught and served as department chair at Portland
until 1951.
In 1951, Fr. Reith returned to the University of Notre Dame where he taught
philosophy and served as chair of the department. During this period he
resided at Moreau Seminary.
From 1967-69, and again from 1973-74, he taught philosophy at Makerere
University, Kampala, Uganda. He also taught at the National Seminary in Dacca,
Bangladesh, from 1977-79. During the other years of that period he taught at
the University of Notre Dame until retirement in 1994.
Not one to sit around, Fr. Reith taught philosophy at Our Lady of Corpus
Christi College in Corpus Christi, Texas, during spring semesters and was
much sought after as a spiritual director and mentor for many monastic
communities.
A self-taught artist, he would paint and sculpt in his spare time and was a
lifelong golfer, hiker and fisherman. A superb athlete in is younger days,
Fr. Reith was known as a fierce competitor, especially in handball.
Fr. Reith was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Ida (Liebich)
Reith. He is survived by a brother, John Reith of Wilmington, DE, and some
nieces and nephews.
Viewing will be held for Fr. Reith in the chapel of Moreau Seminary,
University of Notre Dame, on Monday, July 10th, from 3:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
with a wake service at 7:30 p.m. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at the
Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame, on Tuesday, July 11th, at 3:30 p.m.
Kaniewski Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Memorial contributions to support the mission and ministries of the Holy Cross
Fathers may be made to: Priests of Holy Cross, Indiana Province, Office of
Development, P.O. Box 765, Notre Dame, IN 46556.
*****
Homily for the Mass at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on Tuesday:
May I express my condolences to the family of Father Reith, to colleagues of
the University who knew him, to friends who knew him, and to members of the
Congregation who are assembled here; Father Reith was a member of our
community for many years and we are sad.
Father Reith was a vowed religious in the Congregation of Holy Cross for
seventy-two years and a priest for sixty-four. Father Reith was a Christian
philosopher. He was a metaphysician. He was a priest-teacher for a half-
century. He also knew how to handle all manner of manual tools and was
willing to labor in their use. He was my mentor in the college seminary
and a long-time inspiration in the religious community of Holy Cross.
Father Reith was a genuine Christian intelelectual. He asked the deeper
questions. Why anything? What do we know? How do we know we know? Will
we live beyond our death? How does out faith touch our mind, and our mind
support our faith? What does it all mean? Should we be afraid? Is there
no end to spin in the human condition? Edward Albee entitled his drama of a
marriage in shambles, "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf." It was she, a great
novelist of the twentieth century, who walked into the sea one day in deep
distress that there should be such atrocious debacles in human affairs as
World War I, that awful maiming war supposedly to end all wars. I for one
am afraid of such hopelessness. And who is afraid of Immanuel Kant who told
us all that we know may be all that we project and not much more. And I for
one say I am afraid of such futility. Father Reith was not afraid and taught
others not to be afraid. For all of his life Father Reith was devoted to
Thomas Aquinas, who himself tried mightily to keep faith and reason as
willing and reliable partners in Christian life. I see all these efforts as
if they were the cumulative protection of coral reefs in the seas of our minds.
The waves of doubt are tempered by such bulwarks. All kinds of unconscious
questions are given a haven secure. There is food for thought and refuge in
storms. Father Reith taught the Catholic faith that the human mind can know,
that the critics of darkness do not overcome the students of light. He studied
the objections and weathered the pressures that great minds opposed can raise in
us. We knew he knew. We thought we could know as well.
When I begin my classes I have a saying. I tell my students this: "I do not
always say what I mean. I do not always mean what I say, and what you heard
was not what I said." Words, language, human knowing are hazardous. Christian
philosophy is a reef in an ocean of surmise. When faith and reason partner,
our minds are integrated, our eyes clarified, and our ears sharpened. Jesus did
say what he meant when he said: "God so loved the world that he gave his only
Son," and "whatever you do to the least of my brothers or sisters you do to me."
Jesus did mean what he said when he said: "This is my body given for you," and
"I go to prepare a place for you, that where I am you also may be." And what
all Jesus said we are more able to hear because of Christian philosophy.
When we are confident not only in our faith but also in our mind, we are enabled
to love God with all our strength, with all our heart, with all our soul, and
as the gospel of Matthew adds, "with all our mind." If teachers and authors of
books of Christian philosophy, such as Father Reith, do leave a legacy to their
students and to their readers, coming to know and love God more securely and more
abundantly is not a small one. May his soul rest in peace. May his mind see God
in whom all questions will be resolved in simplicity.
Homilist: Rev. Nicholas Ayo, CSC
*****
Homily at Moreau Seminary Monday service:
Eulogy for Fr. Herman Reith
Monday, July 10, 2006
Moreau Seminary Chapel
Reading: Romans 14: 7-9, 10b-12
On behalf of the local Holy Cross community, I would like to extend a word of
welcome and of sympathy to members of the Reith family who are here this
evening. I know that Hermie would be pleased that you were able to make it.
There are certainly other Holy Cross religious who knew Hermie for many more
years than I have. He was a Holy Cross religious for 72 years and a priest
for 64 years. I�m here tonight because Hermie is the reason why I came to
Holy Cross. As a high school senior I was all set to join the Diocese of Gary
and attend the seminary at St. Meinrad�s. Hermie�s nephew, Jim Reith, worked
with my father at Whirlpool in La Porte. My father told Jim Reith about my
interest in the priesthood. At Jim�s urging, Hermie wrote me and told me all
about his life in Holy Cross and urged me to visit him at Notre Dame. So I�m
so grateful to him for steering me in the direction of Holy Cross, this band
of wonderful brothers.
What I most enjoyed in the process of writing this eulogy was getting to hear
so many wonderful stories about Hermie. There is no way I could share them
all with you. St. Paul says in his letter to the Romans that �each of us
shall gave an account of himself to God.� No one could give a more
interesting account of his life than Hermie.
The image that captures the man for me was shared by a religious of this
house. He recounted walking into Hermie�s room, negotiating the many piles
of books, and seeing a table upon which there was a philosophy book, a shotgun,
and hanging from the shotgun, a pair of athletic shorts. Each item symbolizes
something important about his life: Hermie as scholar, as rugged outdoorsman,
and as superb athlete. He had something of the wanderlust of the great
explorers, the curiosity of the scientist, and the creativity of the
inventers. He was ever interested in and ever fascinated by life, by creation,
and by Truth itself. He was forever young at heart.
He was a philosopher by training and trade. He taught and was department chair
at Portland and Notre Dame, and also taught in Uganda and Bangladesh. I had
him for a course called Marxist themes. His style was dry and straightforward,
but not without humor. He recounted once meeting a community of communist
women, describing in detail how they exercised leadership, how they shared
their resources, how they lived their lives. Then he revealed in coy fashion
that he was describing a community of cloistered nuns in Kokomo!
His intellectual interests continued to practically his dying day.
Just a few years ago, while at Holy Cross House, he gave me Chapter 5 of a
book on angels. I walked back to Moreau in a snowstorm. Somewhere between
Holy Cross House and Moreau Chapter 5 blew out of my back pocket and was
carried to the four corners of the earth by the driving wind. Every time he
asked me what I thought of Chapter 5 I tried to talk about the weather. I
don�t think he ever discovered what happened but now he knows.
The shotgun symbolizes for me the great outdoors and his time at Land O�Lakes,
Wisconsin, as superior of the summer camp for seminarians. Some have
affectionately referred to the place as a slave labor camp. A few religious
shared with me the time Hermie had them excavate under the buildings one
September because the joists were rotting away. They also had to dig trenches
around the buildings. It began to rain, it got cold, and people got the flu.
And then the water filled the trenches, and then the grease pit from the
kitchen somehow began to flow into the trenches. Oh, for the good old days of
seminary training! As a reward for their labors, Hermie took the lads in the
school bus for a trip up North to the Porcupine mountains. At a large field,
he had the driver stop the bus, got everyone off the bus, and took out a
football to have some fun. Everyone got off the bus and proceeded to lay down
on the field because they were exhausted.
But those men who knew him then said you could always approach Hermie, even
if you didn�t like his work projects. He was a stubborn German, but he was
also a good man and quite fair. Though he was not one who was often heard
laughing out loud, his humor was never far from the surface. One night at
Land O�Lakes, Brutus, the camp dog, who was always losing battles to porcupines
and skunks, got sprayed by a skunk. It was about 11:00 p.m. or so. Hermie
knew the seminarians were in the bunks, so he proceeded to let Brutus into
their barracks to spend the night with them!
Hermie was a superb athlete, quite adept at handball, squash, and even enjoyed
golf. Just a few years ago, when I began to learn the game of golf, he took
me out to analyze my swing. After seeing my swing, he told me that the main
objective of golf should be to never embarrass or humiliate myself on the
course. I have yet to achieve that objective!
I could go on and talk about the fish he stuffed himself using a 2 X 6, sawdust
and varnish, or the motorcycle he worked on in his room at the old Moreau, his
passion for languages, and his work helping an exorcist in Texas. In short,
Hermie was a fascinating man with a variety of interests. I have yet to meet
his equal as a conversationalist at table.
Above all, Hermie was a man of God, a priest, a religious of Holy Cross. St.
Paul�s words tonight sum up very well Hermie�s life: �None us lives for
oneself, and no one dies for oneself. For if we live, we live for the Lord,
and if we die, we die for the Lord.� Everything Hermie did as a Holy Cross
priest flowed from his delight in God and in God�s creation. In everything,
he did he tried to serve the Lord and give him praise. He was a man for
others.
And now, every mystery, every treasure of heaven, every source of wisdom, is
laid open before him. His now one with everything that is. The heaven he
longed for, the Lord he pined for, the life he prayed for, are all his.
He now has an eternity to explore the eternal, a mystery now known from within
but never exhausted. He is like a young man again, but paradoxically, he has
reached full his full stature and maturity in Christ. I suspect that Hermie
will never be bored again!
Homilist: Fr. Patrick Neary, C.S.C.
*****
Uncle John's letter, read on Monday night:
BELOW I GIVE THE PROPOSED EULOGY. FEEL FREE TO EDIT IT FOR CLARITY OR WHATEVER.
I THINK I KNEW MY BROTHER MICK BETTER THAN ANYBODY. WE GREW UP TOGETHER FOR
MY FIRST 12 YEARS, UNTIL HE ENTERED THE SEMINARY AT 16..BUT WE STAYED CLOSE
ALL THROUGH THE YEARS. TODAY I WANT TO SHARE SOME EVENTS THAT INVOLVED US
BOTH, THAT MANY DO NOT KNOW ABOUT. EARLY ON IT WAS OBVIOUS TO ME THAT HIS
RELIGIOUS FAITH WOULD DOMINATE HIS LIFE. WHEN I WAS ABOUT 6 AND HE WAS 10,
HE TOLD ME THAT I WAS CLOSER TO GOD THAN HE WAS BECAUSE I WAS CLOSER TO
HAVING JUST LEFT HIS HANDS. FROM MY AGE 4 IT SEEMED WE DID ALMOST
EVERYTHING TOGETHER. WHERE HE WENT ON HIS BIKE I WAS RIDING ON THE BAR.
HE INVOLVED ME IN ALL HIS ATHLETIC ACTIVITIES, EVEN BEING A LINEMAN ON HIS
FOOTBALL TEAM. WE RAN THE 100 YARD DASH ON A PATH HE HAD MEASURED, HE
TAUGHT ME TO BOX AND TACKLE IN FOOTBALL, AND PLAYED BASKETBALL TOGETHER ON
OUR FAMILY COURT. HE HAD A BENJAMIN AIR RIFLE AND WE BOTH SHOT CANS OFF
THE OTHERS HEAD AT ABOUT 40 FEET..HE TAUGHT ME TO THROW A CURVE WITH A
BASEBALL AND A SLIDER AND A DROP. LATER IN THE SEMINARY AT HOLY CROSS
COLLEGE IN DC HE PITCHED AND BEAT AMERUCAN U. FOR THE FIRST WIN IN 10
YEARS. WHILE AT MOREAU HIS BASKETBALL TEAM USED TO SCRIMMAGE WITH THE
NOTRE DAME FRESHMAN TEAM AND HE WAS USUALLY HIGH SCORER. WHILE STUDYING
IN ROME HE ORGANIZED A TEAM THAT BEAT THE TEAM THAT HAD JUST WON THE
BRUNO MUSSOLINI CUP IN BASKETBAL. WHILE HE TAUGHT AT U. OF PORTLAND HE
WAS THE CHAPLAIN AT THE SUNVALLEY SKI RESORT (HE WAS A GOOD SKIER).
AT GOLF HE HAD ABOUT A 2 HANDICAP AND AT AGE 60 NO ONE COULD BEAT HIM AT
SQUASH OR RACKETBALL. HE ALSO WON THE HORSESHOE CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE
SEMINARY.
BUT THROUGH THIS ALL HE WAS PRIMARILY A SCHOLAR, WRITING MANY BOOKS AS
HEAD OF THE PHILOSOPHY DEPT AT NOTRE DAME. HE WAS ALSO A GOOD POET, HAD
ONE PRINTED IN THE ND SCHOLASTIC AND BEFORE THE SEMINARY, ONE ABOUT THE
TWIN SIMMONS BOYS ACROSS THE STREET WHO WERE NAMED AFTER THE WRIGHT
BROTHERS, ORVILLE AND WLBUR. I RECALL HIS NUN TEACHER IN HIGH SCHOOL
CALLED HIM "MY BRIGHT ALGEBRA STAR", AND MICK CONSIDERED MATH INSTEAD OF
PHILOSOPHY AS MAJOR AT ND.
HE WENT TO ROME WITH TED HESBURGH IN 1937 TO FINISH STUDIES FOR THE
PRIESTHOOD BUT THEY WERE ON THE LAST BOAT OUT OF ITALY ABOUT 2 YEARS LATER.
DURING THE WAR HE LIVED IN QUEBEC, CANADA WHILE STUDYING FOR HIS PHD AT
LAVAL U. AND HE BECAME A CHAPLAIN IN THE CANADIAN NAVY. I HAVE PICTUES OF
HIM IN UNIFORM.
MICK WAS A HOLY PRIEST AND HE TALKED TO ME OFTEN ABOUT HOW THE DAILY MASS
WAS AT THE HEART OF CATHOLIC BELIEF. WHEN HE VISITED BACK IN KOKOMO HE
WOULD HEAR THE CONFESSIONS OF HIS OLD NEIGHBORS, POSSIBLY THEIR ONLY
CONNECTION WITH THE CHURCH.
IT SEEMED HE HAD FRIENDS EVERYWHERE IN THE WORLD. HE SEEMED TO TAKE A
SPECIAL INTEREST IN SEVERAL CLOISTERED NUN GROUPS. HE WAS A CLOSE PERSONAL
FRIEND OF THE FRENCH AMBASSADOR TO BANGLADESH, AND TO THE US AMBASSADOR
TO IDI AMIN'S COUNTRY IN AFRICA [UGANDA]. AT ONE POINT WHEN AMIN WAS
KILLING WESTERNERS, MY BROTHER OVER A PERIOD OF SEVERAL MONTHS WAS WRITING
US FRIGHTENED LETTERS THAT SAID HE WAS NOT RECEIVING ANY MAIL AT ALL.
I GOT THE CRAZY IDEA TO WRITE HIM A NONSENSE LETTER, FULL OF PRAISE FOR
THE GREAT WORK IDI AMIN WAS DOING, BUT I BUILT IN CLUES THAT THE WHOLE
LETTER WAS FULL OF NONSENSE THAT MIGHT GET THROUGH TO HIM I REPORTED ND
TEAMS GETTING BEAT BY GRADE SCHOOL TEAMS BY BIG MARGINS ETC..ETC.. THAT
MAIL GOT THROUGH AND HIS MAIL RECEPTION STARTED AGAIN. MICK WAS FRIENDS
WITH ALL CLASSES OF PEOPLE WHOM HE KEPT IN TOUCH WITH, INCLUDING THE
HEAD OF THE LAS SCALA OPERA HOUSE IN ROME.
THE COUNTRY WHERE MY BROTHER SERVED 2 TERMS WAS UGANDA, WHERE IDI AMIN WAS
THE DICTATOR. WHILE IN UGANDA HERMAN HAD VISITED A WITCH DOCTOR, AT WHICH
ACCORDING TO MY BROTHER THE WITCH DOCTOR WOULD LEVITATE AND MOVE AROUND THE
GROUP. HERMAN WASQUITE FRIGHTENED BY IT ALL. ALSO DURING HIS STAY IN UGANDA
I HAD TO WORK THROUGH THE US AMBASSADOR TO UGANDA, A MAN NAMED RITCHIE TO
GET A MESSAGE TO HERMAN. INCIDENTALLY RITCHIE BECAME A CATHOLIC ON HIS DEATH
BED.
ALSO HERMAN BECAME A SKILLED SCULPTORER AND BESIDE MANY INDIVIDUAL PIECES
HAS PUBLIC DISPLAY AT SEVERAL PLACES. HE WORKED MOSTLY USING A WELDING TORCH
I HAD GOT FOR HIM...HE AFFECTED MANY LIVES.
HE WAS A JOY TO HAVE AS A BROTHER AND A DELIGHT TO WATCH HIM OPERATE ON THE
WORLD STAGE. I SHALL MISS HIM.
BROTHER JOHN
*****
Harry Reith's letter read on Monday night:
Yesterday, I talked to Uncle John in Wilmington, De. He asked me to
thank all of you for the kindness that you have shown him and his brother,
Herman at this time. He is grateful. John and members of his family will
not be coming to Father Herman's funeral. John and his children asked me
extend a personal invitation to all of you and to ask that you come and
visit them.
I want to talk about Father Herman . The first story that I'm going to tell
comes from my Mother and Father. AS you know, my Dad, Karl, was the oldest
of ten Reith children. You also know that Ida's husband died with John was
two years old. So without a father image, the older children helped their
Mother raise the younger ones. My Dad had a lot of friends that went to
Notre Dame. There was a family that lived in Kokomo. Their name was
O'Hara. Father O'Hara was a priest at Notre Dame. My Mom and Dad were
friends of the O'Hara family. Father O'Hara knew the Reith's who lived on
Vail avenue in Kokomo. As Herman grew up he became very good at pitching
a baseball. This happened because a neighbor taught Herman how to release
the ball. Herman considered becoming a baseball player. It was at this
time that Herman's Mother, Ida, would say: "How nice it would be to have a
priest in the family." After some time and through the suggestion of my Dad
and Father O'Hara Herman decided to go to Notre Dame. Later on O'Hara
became President of Note Dame. He was about fourteen or fifteen years of
age. I recall my Mom and Dad telling me that Herman was very shy. That
was not acceptable. When my Mom and Dad visited Herman at Notre Dame he
told my parents that he could not sit in the car with them. Father Herman
was being weaned from the family. But, by doing so Herman was able to devote
100% of himself to his studies. It certainly paid off. He was a classmate
of Father Theodore Hessburg. Herman and Hessburg were selected to go to Rome
to study Philosophy. Herman worked very hard as a student of philosophy.
He met a famous Thomistic philosopher whose name was Jacques Maritain.
Maritain and Herman became great friends with each other's ideas. Herman
became the head of the Philosophy department at Notre Dame. Years later when
I was practicing dentistry in Fort Wayne I met a patient who was a priest at
Notre Dame. He told me that he was a student in Herman's philosophy class.
The student also confessed the philosophy was very hard for him to
understand. Herman knew this and as time passed for the final exam to be
given, Herman requested that this student take a walk with him around the
lake. During their walk Herman asked his student many questions. As they
walked, the student was at ease and expounded and answered many issues.
When Herman and his student completed their walk, the student asked Herman
when he could take the philosophy test. Herman smiled at his student and
said, you took the test as we walked when I asked you questions. You have
passed with flying colors. Herman was a great Philosopher. He knew his
subject very well and knew how to put his students at ease.
Herman was great at getting people to give him money. Once upon a time,
Herman was visiting his friends the Bill O'Rourkes in Fort Wayne. He asked
me to ride along with him to make the visit. Mr. O'Rourke asked Herman what
was new. Herman said, well Bill, I've been busy and I'm getting ready to
travel to Puerto Rico soon. Of course Bill O'Rourke asked Herman what he
would be doing. Herman said he was traveling on his own to introduce a new
idea about philosophy. O'Rourke asked Herman how he planned to get there.
Herman said that he wanted to fly if at all possible because he Herman was
on a quick turn around visit. Then O'Rourkeasked the question. How much
will it cost you to fly there and back? Herman said $1500.00. O'Rourke
spoke loud to his wife and said, Geraldine, bring me my check book.
O'Rourke immediately wrote a check for $1500.00 and gave to Herman. Herman
said thank you very much. I appreciate your helping me. Bill said, glad
to help you. Herman knew his philosophy very well.
Many years ago, Herman came to my office and brought me a peice of his art.
This was a Sculpture of a chicken. The chicken had a great strut. The
toe nails were made of finishing nails that a carpenter uses. The foot
had great character and a person was sure to recognize as such. There
were nice tail feathers all welded together in perfect form, a waddle and
behind the chicken lay an egg. One day when Herman was eating supper
at Corby Hall the math department chairman asked Herman is he could borrow
the chicken sculpture. Oh sure said Herman. Great said the professor.
Herman asked the teacher to explain. Oh yes said Father who was the math
teacher. I asked them, What is it? These brainy studentss studied and
studied, they took measurements. They rechecked their data again and again,
finally they said. This thing on the ground is an irregular polyhedron and
that thing in front is a bird. Very well said the professor, you used no
common sense. That is a chicken who has laid an egg. Herman was a great
Philosopher.
All of us here today are saddened to have lost Herman in death. But don't
look at it that way. Herman touched all of our lives. Even this chapel and
building that we are now in was designed with Father Herman advising the
architects of his philosophy and knowledge. Father Herman is now with God
and his family. As each of us tell him goodbye recognize that he is a great
philosopher who is waiting to see us in Heaven with Him.
Harry J. Reith
[DR: not proofread yet for errors]
*****
Letter of sympathy from former ND football Coach Gerry Faust:
[Not yet reproduced in .jpg format]
*****
"Mick" entered the seminary to become a priest at the age of 15 and
celebrated his fiftieth anniversary in the priesthood as a member
of the Congregation of Holy Cross (CSC) at St. Joan of Arc in Kokomo
a number of years ago. He received his bachelor's degree at the
Gregorian University in Rome, his master's degree from the University
of Notre Dame, and the Ph.D. in philosophy from Laval University in
Quebec; he was a student of communism for his doctoral philosophy
degree. During World War II, Father served in Canada's Royal Navy as
a chaplain on the HMS Montcalm in Quebec City. Fluent in several
languages, one of the things he always did was to return to Kokomo to
hear confessions in Italian for the community there. Studies and
teaching have taken him to Bangladesh, Canada, Germany, Italy, Mexico,
Uganda, and other sites around the world. A review of his recent work
on Descartes from CHOICE (April, 1987, p. 1233), a library reference
work, is found here For the last several years, "Mick" taught at
a new college, Our Lady of Corprus Christi, in Texas. He also recently
completed manuscripts on freedom and authority in the church and on
morality and is currently working on manuscripts on St. Thomas Aquinas
and angels. Father Ted Hesburgh is his classmate and Father Joyce is
his next-door neighbor at Holy Cross House. He was recently mentioned
in Notre Dame Magazine.
Here are some pictures taken at Holy Cross House, Notre Dame, on
May 31, 2002:
Updated: November 11, 2008
___________________________________________________________________
+ IDA LIEBICH REITHPhoto
Born: October 5, 1873, Elsenz (near Eppigen), Germany
Parents: of the Liebich and Hahn (H�hn?) families
Brothers/Sisters:
Spouse: Joseph Reith
Children: Albert, Emil, Herman, John, Joseph, Josephine, Karl,
Lewis, Rose, William
Died: November 3, 1950, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Burial: Crown Point Cemetery, Kokomo, Indiana
The following record [registration may be required to access it] is
from The Ellis Island Foundation:
First Name: Ida
Last Name: Liebich
Ethnicity: Germany
Last Place of Residence:
Date of Arrival: May 19, 1896
Age at Arrival: 22y 7m
Gender: F
Marital Status:
Ship of Travel: Kensington
Port of Departure: Antwerp
Manifest Line Number: 0441
Ida Reith (nee Liebich), when she was a teen, wanted to become a nun
and to serve in Tanganyika in East Africa, which was then German territory.
When she decided to enter the convent, her father announced that her
failure would bring disgrace to the family and essentially banished her.
In fact, she did not complete the religious formation (as her brother,
Nicklaus, had not completed the seminary, but because of illness),
deciding instead to have a married vocation; that decision caused a
rift with her father.
She worked in Germany to make enough money to pay her way to America and
departed from Holland. After arriving in New York, she worked for a while
for a Jewish doctor in New Jersey whom she had met on the boat and then
heard about some Germans who had moved to Kokomo, Indiana. Upon arriving
there, she first lived with the Reith family; however, the priest at
St. Pat's did not think it was right that an unmarried lady should be in
that home and got her a nanny's job with the O'Donnell family (one member
of which, Father Charles Leo O'Donnell, later became the president of
Notre Dame; see this reference).
Eventually, Ida married Joseph Reith of the family she had first
stayed with and they had ten children. Joseph died of the flu
during the great epidemic of 1928. Subsequently, Ida remarried;
her new spouse was Charles (German = Karl) Reith, the cousin of her
late husband. One of the funny stories that circulates among the
family is that this marriage, she always said, was one of convenience
(no "hanky panky").
Note: her mother had died in childbirth and her father, whom she
never saw after leaving Germany, died in the early 1920's. Two
places are usually given as her German hometown: Elsenz and
Mannheim.
Grandmother Reith immigrated to the United States from Germany
as a young woman. At one time, she had entertained thoughts
of entering the religious life and serving in German East
Africa. After she settled in Indiana, she married Joseph Reith,
an employee of the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company. She was a
member of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Kokomo. When
Joseph died, she subsequently married Charles Reith, his cousin.
In about 1937, she moved to Fort Wayne, where she later lived
with Aunt Josephine. There she worked for St. Joseph Hospital
near her home on West Berry Street. All her children, including
two daughters and eight sons, grew to be religious, intelligent,
productive individuals of whom she was proud and who, in turn,
produced offspring who learned to share in "the feeling of
family....of connection and continuity." Judy Reith has
produced a fond and touching recollection of Grandmother Reith
in 1984 that is reproduced here [not included].
Here is a record of a return travel to Germany (note birthdate)
[this may require a registration, but it is free].
June 29, 2004 [with thanks to Uncle John for recent notes]
___________________________________________________________________
+JEROME (Hieronymous) REITH
Born: 1840
Parents:
Brothers:
Spouse: Carolina Reith
Children: Charles Francis (Chink), Joseph [Ida's husband], John
Died: 1904 [Buried May 21, 1904]
Burial: Crown Point Cemetery, Kokomo, Indiana
The following naturalization information is from Indiana
State Archives:
REITH HIRONINIUS BADEN 1891/11/17 HOWARD COUNTY, BOOK 1, PAGE 200
It indicates he arrived in the United States on November 17, 1891 and notes
that his nationality was "Baden."
Just wondering: was this the family that Ida Liebich moved to stay with
when she moved to Kokomo? Joseph was their son? And Charles (Chink) was
another son and brother to Joseph (Ida's husband)? Susan Dippel has an old
Kokomo directory from 1901 that lists Hieronynmous Reith as a resident.
I believe that my middle name comes from this person and remember being
told hat I was named for my [great] grandfather.
___________________________________________________________________
+ JOHN REITH
Born:
Parents: Jerome and Caroline Ziegler Reith
Brothers: Charles, Joseph
Died:
Burial:
John died in an accident in the Rhine River in Germany when he was
fourteen years old.
___________________________________________________________________
+ JOHN EDWARD REITH
Born: September 29, 1919, Kokomo, Indiana
Brothers/Sisters: Albert, Emil, Herman, Joseph, Josephine, Karl,
Lewis, Rose, William
Spouse: Betty McCrea Reith
Children: Catherine, Christopher, Kevin, Michael, Susan, Timothy
Died: March 31, 2008, Wilmington, Delaware
Burial: St. Joseph on the Brandywine Cemetery, Wilmington, Delaware
The youngest of ten kids in the Joseph and Ida Reith family, Uncle John
held three degrees from the University of Notre Dame, including a Ph.D.
in chemistry. He worked for many years for DuPont in Wilmington; after
retirement, he continued to do teaching and consulting for them. He was
an avid scholar and writer and made a trip to Wales and England in March
and April, 2002. He was active in developing statistical theories,
publishing, and pioneering ways of teaching reading, including a color-coded
method. He and Aunt Betty used to golf almost daily until she got better
than he was and then (he said) he became her caddy. One of his favorite
things was having weekly luncheons with friends from the Wilmington area.
If you ever wanted to know anything about the early history of the Reith
family, Uncle John was the one to ask.
Here are a few links that demonstrate Uncle John's diverse scholarship:
On the meaning of words in the Catholic MassThe Beaman DistributionInsurance CostsBroken Stick RulePatentHealth Care CostsOn chemical reactionsAs a limericist [Scroll down]
Obituary
John E. Reith
Age 88, of Wilmington, DE passed away peacefully at his home on March 31, 2008
surrounded by his family. Born in Kokomo, IN, he was the son of the late
Joseph and Ida Reith and youngest of 10 children. He served in the U.S. Marines
and was honorably discharged in 1939. He graduated in 1941 from Notre Dame,
first in his class from the College of Science with a degree in Chemistry; in
1942 with a master�s degree and in1945 with a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry. In
1944, he married his wife Betty. They enjoyed over 50 years of marriage until
her death in 1997. He worked for DuPont for 37 years, retiring in 1981. Early
in his career at DuPont, he worked on high-polymers. While employed with
DuPont, he developed a predictive model for business decisions still being used
today, the �broken stick� rule. Later, he became a market forecaster and
economist responsible for predicting market forces. After his retirement in
1981, he taught a problem solving course at the University of Delaware,
Academy of Lifelong Learning. Recently, he co-authored an economics paper with
Fiona MacLachlan, Ph.D. which was published this March in a British Economics
Journal. He also authored several articles on various topics including Health
Care Reform and Global Warming.
He is survived by his 6 children, Cathy Balback (Bob) of Hockessin, Michael
Reith (Kathy) of Atlanta, GA, Tim Reith (Sarah) of Roanoke, VA, Susan Dippel
(Bill) of Annapolis, MD, Kevin Reith (Jean) of Hockessin, Chris Reith
(Marylou) of Wilmington; 15 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.
The family would also like to thank Comfort Keepers for their excellent care.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at St. Joseph�s on the Brandywine,
10 Old Church Road, Greenville, DE on Saturday, April 5th at 10:30 am. Burial
will follow.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Heartland Hospice, 261 Chapman
Road, Suite 100, Newark, DE 19702.
Msgr. Joseph F. Rebman's Homily
John Reith
St. Joseph on the Brandywine
April 5, 2008
To the Reith family, I offer my sympathy and that of the parish of St. Joseph
on the Brandywine. John and his wife Betty, whom predeceased him in 1997, have
been a part of the parish since 1974 when the family registered. Since he is
to be buried in our parish cemetery, he will continue to be part of the parish.
The Reith family was one of the first to buy burial space in our cemetery in
1995 shortly before Betty died and was buried there.
My dear friends, isn�t it amazing how a few lines in fine print in a newspaper
and some telephone calls, faxes, and email, in the busy stressful world in
which we live, could bring so many people together on such short notice? Yes,
this little announcement caused us both last night and today to change our
plans and come to church to say goodbye to someone who has been a part of our
lives and to support his immediate family in their loss.
Why, up until three days ago, nobody here in this church had planned to be
here. Our plans and schedules were vastly different but we are here because
God in calling John from this earth has brought us here to bury the dead among
us.
And to do this act of mercy, many of us have come great distances to join those
who have come short distances. But the distances we travel in memory are much
longer than the physical distances we had to cross to get here.
Now, I fully realize that the memories all of you have of John are much more
bountiful than mine. Some of you knew him for most of his life. Others for a
short period of time but all these memories are cherished by you and are meant
to be shared. You will hear others give their reflections at the end of Mass.
I do have a few memories myself I would like to share. I�ve been at St. Joseph
as pastor since 1999. However, I was here from 1974-1976 as Associate Pastor so
I must have met John and Betty and their children. I see he worked at Dupont
for 31 years. So did I but only for one and a half years before I left for a
career with an institution with greater job security.
I remember John as a faithful usher at the 5 p.m. Saturday mass. He was always
concerned about failing to take up the second collection when required. It was
he who suggested I write it down on paper and post it in the closet where the
baskets were kept whenever a second collection was required. I once told
him, �John, when in doubt, take it up. You will never be criticized by me for
taking up an extra collection.�
John was proud of catching a purse-snatcher during Mass. He liked to sit in the
last row as many good Catholics do. When people in the row went up for
communion, a man stepped from the back of church and took a purse left in the
pew. John tried to stop him, but the man was too strong for him. The thief took
off across the cemetery to Rt. 52. Someone did call 911 and the state police
picked up the thief. John has been remembered for his alertness even in his
advancing years.
In a little while we will walk through the cemetery behind the church to John's
final resting place. We will pass many memorial stones of different sizes and
shapes erected to the memory of other people who have preceded Jim in death. If
you look carefully, you will see on the face of the memorials the names of the
deceased, the date of birth and death, perhaps some other symbols of the things
they held precious in life or the symbols of their faith in eternal life.
Each stone has been chosen and prepared as an act of love by someone or some
people the deceased left behind. They took time with the designs the way the
name of the deceased was printed, written or carved on the stone.
But you know between the date of birth and the date of death there is simply a
dash. It might be 2 inches long and a half-inch wide or an inch wide and 6
inches long. It all depends on the size of the memorial. Now you know that
while you can fancy up the lettering or the symbols on the stone, there is not
much you can do with the dash. It�s just a narrow line. However, the dash marks
the days, months and years between the deceased's date of birth and date of
death. And in the dash, while we cannot see them, are all the experiences and
events of the deceased's life.
Oh, we may know some of his special moments. A few may know a lot of his
special moments but none of us can know every one of his hopes and
disappointments, his pleasures and pains, his joys and sorrows, his
accomplishments or his defeats. Yet they are all there represented by the dash.
And not even the most sophisticated computer chip we can make will contain
everything of a person�s life � whether he or she lives 2, 5, 25, 50 or a 100
years. It�s all in the dash.
Now from what I know personally of John�s dash and what others have told me, I
think he had a pretty good dash. Like any of us, I am sure he made no claim to
be perfect. After all, the great St. Paul said, �In many things we all offend.�
Moreover, raising six kids along with his wife Betty, I am sure he may have
lost his temper once in awhile.
The obituary told me that he was an innovator in business and market economies.
These kinds of people do ruffle other people who are content with the status
quo. To keep one�s patience and temper would have been a challenge.
When I visited him at home a month ago, he had completed an essay he hoped to
publish which would reflect Al Gore�s teaching on Global Warming. Indeed, we
can learn much from John�s life but I think his most important legacy to his
family and to all of us can be learned from the scripture readings the family
chose for the mass today.
Their choice of passage from the Book of Wisdom tells us that John was a just
man who is now at peace. As I visited him a short while ago and he received the
sacraments of the sick and Eucharist, he was aware of his declining health and
that the end was near. He was accepting the suffering that old age and illness
brings on. His faith in God was strong. It would carry him through the passage
of death to eternal life. The secret to a life well lived is to base it on
love. St. Paul�s comment in I Corinthians 12:31 seem to have been a favorite of
John�s.
�If I speak in human and angelic tongues but do not have love�
I am a resounding gong or a clashing symbol�
If I give away everything I own but do not have love, I gain nothing.�
Yes, John as did Paul saw the secret of life well lived to be tied up with love
of God, love of church, love of family, and love of country. As long as he
could, whether with Dupont or with his many activities after official
retirement, he was concerned about others and wanted to share his gifts and
talents with society and with others.
The gospel passage of the Sower and the Seed was also seen by his children as
one of his favorites. It tells me he was aware of the frailty of human nature.
In truth God is always scattering the good seed of talent, grace, and blessing.
However, we must be open to God to receive these gifts. Some of us will get
more and some less but we all have the opportunity to get all we need to save
our souls. The way we do this is by thanking and loving God by serving our
neighbor.
My friends, the dash on the tombstones between two dates can remind us very
vividly of what many people think the story of human life is: �Birth, life,
death.� However, for a Christian it�s different. The story is not �birth, life,
death,� but rather �life, death, resurrection.� Death is not the end of the
human story, it�s the middle. The end of the story is resurrection and life
that has no end.
As Christians we grieve, but not without hope. We pray today for John Reith,
that he may complete the journey to heaven, which has been his goal in life.
Pray for him every day and for yourselves. Look at John today and say with
faith. �John you do not belong to death, you belong to Christ and to life,
and so do we.� Amen.
4/16/08
Susan's Eulogy
In memory of John E. Reith
9/29/1919 - 3/31/2008
We gather here today to honor a very special person. I know that he would not
want us to be sad - rather, he would want us to connect with each other and
make the most of this day. For that is what he was all about - people,
connecting, friendships and knowledge.
There is one thing many of you might not know about my dad. He grew up as the
youngest of ten children and his initial plan was to join the priesthood after
High School. I know that there are at least six of us here that are very glad
he did not......instead he went on to Notre Dame where he got his PhD in
chemistry. This led him to Wilmington, where he was hired by DuPont and the
rest is history.
My dad was the consummate scientist. His quest for problem solving filled his
life, even right up to the end. While he was ready to accept his own decline,
it was not without a final concerted effort to regain his health.
Unfortunately, his years caught up with him. We as a family helped him to
accept this final chapter and we made the most of his declining months.
It was during this period that I feel I really came to know my father - I found
many of his old writings and letters to the editor that he was so well known
for. His reflections and passionate arguments helped me see more clearly, who
he was - and what guided his beliefs. He was an innovator, curious and
passionate about knowledge.
There were folders devoted to price elasticity, distribution of first digits
and ideas for a reduced slice golf ball. He was always looking at things from
a different perspective, often questioning long held beliefs and assumptions.
I am sure many of you familiar with his recent theories on global warming.
even his doctors were brought into the circle of constant questioning,
conjecture and theories.
As I reviewed many of his past writings, I was amazed at the diversity of his
efforts. There were past letters to the Bishop on reinstating the Latin Mass;
editorial comments on desegregation and bussing - he even had letters to
Presidents Kennedy and Nixon, offering his problem solving skills for those
who would take the time to listen. Many of his efforts were rewarded - he had
a complete file of correspondence for William F. Buckley, a reply from the
White House, numerous responses from State Senators, Congressmen, Milton
Friedman, Dr. Oliver Sachs, even the current Bishop of Wilmington. There was
a letter to the President of Studebaker Corporation on how to maximize the
exposure to their product. Often his solutions were simple; but his main
thrust was JUST DO IT - don�t accept things that need to be changed or
reevaluated; make a difference, even if it is just one small step in the
right direction.
My dad believed that you could begin to change the world thru the power of
compassion. His mind never stopped in promoting his efforts to help others or
his beliefs on heathcare reform, economics and aids for learning to read.
Sometimes his energies took a more creative turn as he found himself a winner
in various limerick contests, short stories and one of his most publicized
achievements, winning first place in the State lyric contest with his
entry �Timeless Delaware.�
But my favorite father is the one who loved my mother, his children and his
many wonderful friends. The one who rode his bike early each morning and put
the early papers by his neighbor�s doorsteps. The one who perfected his
caramel recipe as well as his pie crust. I hope not only his recipes but his
beliefs are carried on by each of us. Live in the moment - be kind to others -
have no regrets.
Marylou's Eulogy
Eulogy of John E. Reith (September 29, 1919 � March 31, 2008) by Marylou Reith
I met my future father in law, John, in 1983, while dating Chris. I was often
asked for Sunday dinner with John, Betty and Chris. John would engage in
discussions, most of which would spark interesting debate. I looked forward
to a dinner invitation, not only because of the yummy baked chicken dinner
(Betty would make), but also the company and discussion. These discussions
ignited my thirst for knowledge. I turned my grades around senior year in
high school and went on to graduate cum laude from college. Not only did John
encourage my education, his advice over the years helped me become a better
parent, wife and friend.
One of the most fascinating things about John were listening to his stories of
his younger years which he compiled into his memoirs. These are stories based
upon memories for the first 14 years of his life. Reading them gave me a
greater appreciation and understanding of him. His life was a wonderful
adventure. We would love to share John�s memoirs with anyone who is interested.
I would like to tell a story that I believe encompasses the true nature of
John. John would ride his bicycle each morning. Along the way, he rode past
a mulberry bush located in a field close to his house. He was wearing an old
flannel shirt with and a pair of ripped jeans. The mulberry bush reminded
him of his childhood, so one day, he stopped, picked and ate berries from the
bush. While doing so, he noticed a bedraggled man approaching. John
explained to the man that the mulberries were very good and that he should try
them. The man smiled, ate some mulberries, then told John that behind the
dumpster in the shopping center there was a package of brand new plastic cups
he could use. John was a little puzzled, but he thanked the man and rode off
on his bicycle. It was not until later, that he realized that this man thought
he was homeless and was offering him something in return for his charity.
John was deeply touched by this gesture. He learned at an early age, through
his mother, that it was important to be your brother�s keeper.
My children will forever remember their Grandpa�s raspberry bushes, and
garden. Each spring, they would tear out of our vehicle and dart to the bushes
to pick berries. I would always want them to wash the berries before eating
them. It gave John great pleasure to see them furiously eating them from the
vine, much like he did in his younger years. To this date, raspberries are my
children�s favorite fruit. John wanted my children to be able to continue this
tradition, so 3 years ago, he planted 3 bushes in our rear yard.
My husband�s fondest memory of his father was his nightly ritual of reading
books to him prior to bed. It is a tradition my husband holds dear and has
continued with our own sons.
While I was driving in my car this week, I was listening to the radio and I
was reminded of John�s practical and pragmatic view of life. Coincidentally,
he license plate on the car in front of me was Thank You, Dad. John has
taught me virtue, charity, patience and friendship. Much like teaching a
child to ride his or her bicycle without training wheels, I feel that over
the years, John was running along side of me giving me the support I needed.
This past Monday, he let go. Now, I am riding a two wheeler.
M�de bin ich, geh zur Ruh,
schlie�e meine Augen zu.
Vater, lass die Engel dein
�ber meinem Bette sein.
Nun gib der armen Seele,
die ewige Ruhe und das ewige Licht im Inneren
Lasse sie ruhen in Frieden.
Amen
I am tired, going to sleep
Now closing my eyes
Father, let your angels
Stay over my bed.
Now give the poor souls
Everlasting peace and everlasting light within
Let them rest in peace.
Amen
Add: Mick's eulogy
Updated: November 11, 2008
___________________________________________________________________
+ JOSEPH REITH
Born: 1872, Mannheim-Baden (Karlsruhe, Stuttgart), Germany
Parents: Jerome and Caroline Ziegler Reith
Brothers: John, Charles F.
Spouse: Ida Liebich Reith
Children: Albert, Emil, Herman, John, Joseph, Josephine, Karl, Lewis,
Rose, William
Died: February 26, 1922
Burial: Crown Point Cemetery, Kokomo, Indiana
3/31/2002
___________________________________________________________________
+ JOSEPH STEPHEN REITH
Born: December 31, 1902, Kokomo, Indiana
Parents: Ida and Joseph Reith
Brothers/Sisters: Albert, Emil, Herman, John, Josephine, Karl, Lewis,
Rose, William
Spouse: Marion Katherine Beer Reith
Died: August 31, 1971, Hamilton, Ohio
Burial: Crown Point Cemetery, Kokomo, Indiana
Worked for the Brass Works and Stellite - Union Carbide in Kokomo;
for General Electric in Kokomo and Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Evendale,
Ohio; and for the Fairfield Manufacturing Company in Lafayette,
Indiana. Last belonged to St. Peter in Chains Catholic Church in
Hamilton, but always considered St. Joan of Arc in Kokomo to be
home. Uncle Karl was the best man at his wedding. Loved the
outdoors, especially squirrel hunting, for which his patience was
unsurpassed. Family lived with Aunt Rose in Center, Indiana,
in 1948.
___________________________________________________________________
+ JOSEPH STEVEN REITH
Born: April 21, 1926, Kokomo, Indiana
Parents: Marian and Joseph Reith
Brothers: David, Thomas
Spouse: Loma Reith (married April 24, 1948)
Child: Kimberly Reith Miller
Died: February 15, 1998
Burial: Albright Cemetery, Kokomo, Indiana
"Little Joe" served with the United States Marine Corps and
subsequently worked as a police officer with the Kokomo Police
Department; after his retirement, he worked for the Health
Board in Kokomo. Joe was a great collector: guns, fluid pens,
steins and mugs, miniature lamps, gold, and antiques. He also
restored an old Ford Mustang.
___________________________________________________________________
+ JOSEPHINE IDA REITH
Born: December 29, 1899, Kokomo, Indiana
Parents: Ida and Joseph Reith
Brothers/Sister: Albert, Emil, Herman, John, Joseph, Karl, Lewis,
Rose, William
Died: July 16, 1987, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Burial: Catholic Cemetery, Fort Wayne
Josie lived in Kokomo and Fort Wayne and was a professional
businesswoman all her life. Recollections about her life from
Father Herman's homily at her funeral is found below:
HOMILY
at the Funeral Mass of
Josephine Ida Reith
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
Fort Wayne, Indiana
July 29, 1987
Preached by Herman Reith, CSC
As I begin, I sense a warning from Josephine. She was usually
very clear in her advice to the rest of us in the family. "Keep
that homily short. It's too hot today. And you know that most of
the Reiths are hard-of-hearing and won't understand you, anway."
Several weeks ago one of the readings in the Mass was from the
Acts of the Apostles. It was the story of Peter preaching the gospel
of Jesus to the people of Joppa, a town in Judea. One of the well-
known citizens of the town had died - a certain woman named Tabitha.
The townsfolk were all sad because Tabitha had been so good to them.
The account tells of many women coming to Peter and showing him the
shirts and coats that Tabitha had made for them. Peter asked to be
shown the room where the body had been laid out for burial. Peter
went there and prayed and then took her by the hand and told her to
rise up. She woke up restored to life and was taken to the people who
had been mourning her death. That is how I think of Josephine today.
She was like Tabitha.
Among the qualities that I saw in Josephine, there is one that
stood out; it was the sense of justice, a kind of Old Testament justice
which the Jewish people equated with holiness. This was especially
true of the reverence that was due to God. Anyone who knew Josephine
knew that she always paid her due promptly, usually even anticipating
the debts and paying them with interest. I remember many times when
I happened to be visiting her that she would ask me to go to the
supermarket for her and buy some things that she needed. If I went to
Rogers to get a half gallon of milk, even before I got through the door
of her house she would say: "What did it cost? How much do I owe you?"
Or if I went to get a large bag of dog food for her dog, Cindy, or
later for Rusty, the money would be out before I could put the bag in
the garage. Incidentally, the big bag of dog food was meant merely as
snacks for Cindy or Rusty because always prepared the main course for
her dogs herself. As you recall, her dogs were on the plump side.
Another example of her "making things right" was told to me by Dr.
Harry last evening. During the last days of her illness, when she
could still speak, Josephine asked Harry to come to the nursing home
and clean her teeth. She was always meticulous about that. When Harry
started, she interrupted him and said: "Remind me to call Suzann." As
he went on with the cleaning, she again interrupted: "Now be sure to
tell Suzann that there is something very important that I have to tell
her." Harry found out later that she wanted to make sure that Harry was
paid. Suzann was taking care of Josephine's expenses at the time.
Another trait in Josephine was her love and care for the poor, the
neglected, the abandoned, the suffering. This trait in her applied to
animals as it did to human beings. I remember distinctly the three dogs
that Josephione had. The first one was a stray rat terrier that
Josephine had found on her way back home from the office. It had been
hit by a car and its hind leg broken. the dog was a sad specimen of rat
terrier. After the leg healedd but remained stiff the little dog shook
all the time. That is why we boys in the fmaily called the dog Shiver
Leg. Shiver Leg would cringe when confronted by a mouse, let alone a rat.
But Josephine loved that dog and took care of it. The next dog in her
life (after the Basset hounds of the Pionsatte's) was CIndy. She was a
mixture of Black Labrador and Irish Setter. This dog, too, had been hit
by a car and came to Josephine's house, bleeding from a head cut. After
taking the dog to the veterinarian to be sewed up and given the proper
shots, Cinderella became a permanent fixture at the house. Often she
frightened off salesmen by her mere size. Not that it was necessary in
Josephine's estimation that a dog or any small animal had to be useful.
It was enough that they _be_. Normally a dog of Cindy's mixture would
weight about eighty or ninety pounds when full-grown. In her prime,
after snacking on dog food and being fed on Josephine's special menu,
Cindy weighed in at about 220 pounds, about the weight of Mohammed Ali
in his prime. Josephine had a sly sense of humor. There was a local
contest for pets. There were many prizes - for beauty, for obedience,
for agility, for sleekness of pelt, and so on. Cindy could not qualify
for any of those. But Claire Tobin knew what she was about when she
entered Cindy for the prize for the biggest pet. Cindy got a blue ribbon
for second place. She was beaten out by a pony that someone had entered.
Josephine's third and last dog was named Rusty. Rusty was a sad looking,
red-eyed Cocker Spaniel that someone did not want and left at the local
pound. Rusty's long shaggy hair picked up all kinds of burrs that
Josephine constantly combed out. Rusty, too, grew to proportions far
exceeding those of a normal Cocker Spaniel. He was a constant concern
to Josephine during her stay at the ursing home. The happy ending to
that story is that Rusty has found a home with an elderly couple who
liked Rusty's color and sad eyes, even if they were not attracted by
his size.
Among other kinds of animals that Josephione took care of were
squirrels and birds, which were fed in her back yard. The biggest fox
squirrels in the State of Indiana are to be found on Butler Court. So,
too, the heaviest Blue Jays and Sparrows. It is no coincidence that in
the living room oer her house, in front of the fireplace, there is a
statue of St. Francis of Assisi, the lover of animals of all kinds, even
of the wolf of Gubbio. But the hungry, wounded, foresaken animals were for
Josephine only a symbol of the lonely, forgotten, and neglected people of
the world. Her donations to their causes were far beyond my reckoning,
though I knew she had a special love for the orphans of Selma and for the
poor Indians of South Dakota. She had a ready hand for all the rest of us
in our needs.
She was a very idndependent woman. I am sure that it hurt her deeply
when she had to go to the hospital and eventually to the nursing home when
she could no longer take care of herself. Now, instead of hobbling about
with the use of a cane, she had to be lifted. She had to be fed. She
accepted all that graciously because she kneww that was what God had in
mind for her. She became trhe one now taken care of, as she had taken
care of the animals. Now she was like the wounded dogs and the hungry
squirrels and birds. She had to depend on others. She accepted that
graciously and with dignity.
When I think about it, however, I see that even then she must have
been thinking about justice, about paying her debts. Now it was debts to
God for all the good things He had done for her during her life.
Certainly the physical and temporal things like health and strength, which
were very good, for her many years of life, for her family and friends.
But more than those, she felt gratitude for the spiritual things of her
life; for her Catholic Faith, for the Mass, for the Sacraments, for her
prayer life (I know from being with her that she spent at least two hours a
day in prayer), for the Rosary, which she prayed every day and which, with
much regret, she could no longer recite during the last days of her
sickness. As I visited her during her last days, when she could no longer
communicate in words or signs, she suffered much. She struggled to remain
alive. I think it was in order to pay back as far as she could, in some
human way, the good things she had received from God. She reminded me of
the words of St. Paul as he wrote about the Mystical Body of Christ, of how
we, the unimportant members, can contribute to the good of the whole and
fill what is still to be filled. She did not want to cross over to the
other side until she paid off as much as she could.
A final note. Josephine told me that at our mother's death she saw a
bright, beautiful light surrounding the bed at the moment of death.
Josephine had been keeping vigil at the hospital and was awakened suddenly
at 3 A.M. She saw the light. "That was mother's soul." Josephine was
not one to imagine things. I feel sure that Jesus. the Light of Life, was
there to surround her with light and receive her into His eternal Kingdom.
Amen.
__________________________________________________________________
+ KARL F. REITH
Born: June 3, 1898, Kokomo, Indiana
Parents: Ida and Joseph Reith
Brothers/Sisters: Albert, Emil, Herman, John, Joseph, Josephine,
Lewis, Rose, William
Spouse: Marie Elizabeth Collins Reith (Married August 27, 1929)
Children: Harry, Karl (Jack), Thomas, Suzann
Died: April 11, 1966, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Burial: Catholic Cemetery, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Uncle Karl was employed by the General Electric Company in Fort
Wayne as an internal auditor. He was a member of St. John the
Baptist Catholic Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus
Council 451 and Holy Name Society in Fort Wayne and was a
Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus in Logansport. He retired from
General Electric in 1963.
___________________________________________________________________
+ KARL JOHN (JACK) REITH
Born: October 4, 1932, Kokomo, Indiana
Parents: Marie and Karl Reith
Brothers/Sister: Harry, Thomas, Suzann
Spouse: Marie Louise Penzone (Married June 20, 1959)
Children: David, Michael
Died: October 11, 1993, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Burial: Catholic Cemetery, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Jack graduated from Kokomo High School, University of Notre Dame,
and Purdue University. He and Marie were married by Father Herman
at St. John the Baptist Church in Fort Wayne. Jack was the Manager
of the General Electric Wire Mill Plant in Fort Wayne.
___________________________________________________________________
+ LEWIS G. REITH
Born: August 31, 1907, Kokomo, Indiana
Parents: Ida and Joseph Reith
Brothers/Sisters: Albert, Emil, Herman, John, Joseph, Josephine,
Karl, Rose, William
Spouse: Charlotte Reith
Children: Dennis, Kathryn, Laura, Lois
Died: December 4, 1951, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Burial: Catholic Cemetery, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Lived in Fort Wayne from 1927. Employed by the General Electric
Company.
___________________________________________________________________
+ LOMA FLEENOR REITH
Born: May 25, 1927, Kokomo, Indiana
Spouse: Joseph Steven Reith (married April 24, 1948)
Child: Kimberlee Reith Miller
Died: February 19, 2004, Noblesville, Indiana
Burial: Albright Cemetery, Kokomo, Indiana
Loma worked as a legal secretary for many years in Kokomo before
retiring to Bruce Lake in northern Indiana. After Joe's death,
she moved to Noblesville to be close to Kim. Loma shared Joe's
passion for collecting and they used to travel all over the
Midwest to auctions and flea markets in search of antiques and
other collectables. She and Joseph were godparents to John David
Reith.
March 1, 2004
___________________________________________________________________
+ MARIE ELIZABETH COLLINS REITH
Born: February 18, 1904, Kokomo, Indiana
Spouse: Karl F. Reith (Married August 27, 1929)
Children: Harry, Karl (Jack), Suzann, Thomas
Died: July, 2001
Burial:
Aunt Marie attended St. Patrick's School and Kokomo High School
and was was married at St. Patrick's. The family moved to
Fort Wayne in 1950. Her sister, Celestine, was always close
to the Reith family.
___________________________________________________________________
+ MARION KATHERINE BEER REITH
Born: September 5, 1903, Lafayettte, Indiana
Spouse: Joseph Stephen Reith
Children: David, Joseph, Thomas
Died: January 3, 1983, Hamilton, Ohio
Burial: Crown Point Cemetery, Kokomo, Indiana
Daughter of German immigrants and who grew up in Lafayette, Indiana,
Marion converted to Catholicism from her Lutheran religion when she
married into the Reith family. She worked for Indiana Bell as a
telephone operator. Collected recipes and enjoyed cooking and baking.
Always talked about the silver money tree that the Reith family game
on her twentty-fifth wedding anniversary at Aunt Rose's. Moved to
Ohio in 1952. Had several dachshunds named Herr Fritz.
___________________________________________________________________
+MARY CATHERINE DAY REITH
Born: July 8, 1912, Galveston, Indiana
Spouse: William John Reith
Children: Barbara, Mark, Michael, Nicholas, Paul, Richard, William
Died: February 6, 2006
Burial: Fort Wayne Catholic Cemetery
Aunt Mary was a registered nurse by profession and worked in the
public schools for many years. She was active in the Allen County
Home Economics groups and enjoyed crafts. She received an award
in 1984 for having twenty-six grandchildren (at that time). She
and Uncle Bill were married over fifty years and they hosted the
family reunion in 1987 and other years on their farm in Fort Wayne.
The following obituary appeared in the Fort Wayne newspapers:
http://www.legacy.com/fortwayne/DeathNotices.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=16641676
Mary C. Reith
MARY C. REITH, 93, of Fort Wayne, died Monday, Feb. 6, 2006,
at Heritage Park. Born July 8, 1912, in Logan-sport, Ind., she was
the daughter of the late Frank and Francis (Emery) Day. She was a
homemaker and member of Queen of Angels Catholic Church. Survived by
sons, Richard Reith, Nicholas Reith, William Reith Jr., Paul Reith,
Mark Reith and Michael Reith; daughter, Barbara Van Rooyen; brothers,
Joseph Day and Max Day; 23 grandchildren; 69 great-grandchildren;
and 13 great-great-grandchildren. Mass of Christian Burial is 10 a.m.
Friday at Queen of Angels Catholic Church. Father Gary Sigler officiating.
Calling is from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at C.M. Sloan & Sons,
1327 Wells St., with Rosary at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. Burial at Catholic
Cemetery. Memorials to Queen of Angels Catholic Church or Diabetes
Association.
Published in the Fort Wayne Newspapers on 2/7/2006.
Guest Book for
Mary C. Reith
Page 1 of 1
February 7, 2006
Frank and I want to express our deepest sympathy. I knew Mary when
she belonged to the Willing Workers Home Demonstration Club with my
mother years ago. I pray she has eternal rest and peace.
Mary Anne Brown
Mary Anne Brown (Coppell, TX )
___________________________________________________________________
+ MARY FRANCES REITH JACOBS BALOGH
Born: July 9, 1918, Kokomo, Indiana
Parents: Mary Hazel and Charles F. Reith
Brother: Charles E.
Spouse: Leander B. Jacobs, Steve G. Balogh, Sr.
Child: Joseph P. Jacobs
Died: July, 2000, Wayne, Michigan
Burial:
Mary Frances married Lee Jacobs in 1946 and was widowed in
1963. She married Steve Balogh in 1969 and had additional
children and grandchildren. Son Joseph is in California and
several grandchildren are at the University of Michigan.
The following obituary appeard online at:
http://freepages.history.rootsweb.com/~steinie/detroit-deaths/2000/death_notices_07-2000.txt
BALOGH ,MARY FRANCES formerly of Allen Park. Loving wife of the
late Leander B. Jacobs and Steve G. Balogh, Sr. Devoted mother
of Joseph P. Jacobs and step mother of Sandra (Kazu) Hirrata of
Hawaii and the late Steve G. Balogh, Jr. Dearest mother-in-law of
Patricia Balogh of South Rockwood. Beloved grandmother of Connie
(Dr. Glen) Davis, Cathy (Dan) Brooks and Ken Balogh. Cherished
great grandmother of Alison, Natalie and Conner Davis and Ellen
Brooks. Sister of Charles Reith. Funeral services will be conducted
in Ohio. An expression of sympathy may be made to Angela Hospice,
14100 Newburgh Rd., Livonia, 48154. Arrangements by The Martenson
Funeral Home Allen Park.
___________________________________________________________________
+ MARY K. YENNA REITH
Born: Mary 13, 1915, Kokomo, Indiana
Spouse: Albert Reith (married June 26, 1937)
Children: Ellen Jane, James
Died: October 16, 1991
Burial: Burial: Crown Point Cemetery, Kokomo, Indiana
___________________________________________________________________
+ ROBERT JOSEPH REITH
Born: April 13, 1934, Kokomo, Indiana
Parents: Ann and Emil Reith
Brother/Sisters: Edward, Judith, Madonna, Rebecca
Spouse: Julia A. Tharp Reith (Judy) Reith (married August 16, 1958)
Children: Amy, Marcy, Rhonda
Died: July 12, 1996
Burial: Albright Cemetery, Kokomo, Indiana
Robert was employed by the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company.
___________________________________________________________________
+ ROSE E. REITH WELLS
Born: June 22, 1901, Kokomo, Indiana
Brothers/Sisters: Albert, Emil, Herman, John, Joseph, Josephine,
Karl, Lewis, William
Spouse: Cecil Wells
Children: Unknown stepchildren
Died: December 19, 1998, Tipton, Indiana
Burial: Sunset Memorial Gardens, Kokomo, Indiana
Aunt Rose had an eighty-acre farm in Center, Indiana, near
Kokomo, which she farmed alone for many years after her husband,
Cecil, died. When she was younger, a doctor advised her to
move to Arizona for asthma, which she did and lived there for
a number of years and to which she returned annually for many
years thereafter. She went to Germany on one occasion with
Judy and collected family information. Aunt Rose was married
to Cecil Wells, who with his father owned the Opalesecent Glass
Works, which had its plant in Kokomo near the railroad track end
of the Pittsburgh Plate Glass factory on Vaile Avenue. At some
point, Aunt Rose lived with the O'Donnell family that Ida Reith
had once also worked.
July 1, 2004, with notes from Uncle John Rreith
___________________________________________________________________
+ ROSE MARIE REITH
Born:
Parents: Irene and Nicholas Reith
Brothers/Sisters: Jessica, John, Karen, Mary Jo, Nicholas, Sharon
Died:
Burial:
___________________________________________________________________
+ SUZANN MARIE REITH TOBIN
Born: August 4, 1930, kokomo, Indiana
Parents: Marie and Karl Reith
Brothers: Harry, Jack, Thomas
Spouse: Donald Francis Tobin (Married: July 28, 19xx)
Children: Claire C., Phillip A., Paul E.
Died: October 6, 2004
Burial:
After attending St. Patrick's in Kokomo and graduating from
Kokomo High Schooll, Suzann received a B.A. in English from
Marian College in Indianapolis and an M.A. in Eduction from
Indiana University, Bloomington. Both a secondary teacher
and a librarian, Suzann worked for the Allen County Public
Library.
The following obituary appeared online at:
http://www.legacy.com/fortwayne/LegacySubPage2.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=2682625
SUZANN (REITH) TOBIN, 74, died Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2004, at home
in Fort Wayne. She was born in Kokomo, the daughter of Karl and
Marie (Collins) Reith. She graduated with a Bachelors degree from
Marian College in Indianapolis and received her Masters degree
from Indiana University. She was a teacher for the Fort Wayne
Community Schools and a homemaker. She retired from the Allen
County Public Library in 2003. She is survived by her husband,
Donald, daughter, Claire Pynchon, a son, Paul, all of Fort Wayne,
and a son, Phillip of Noblesville, and four grandchildren. Service
is 11 a.m. Saturday at Queen of Angels Catholic Church,
1500 W. State Blvd., with calling one hour prior. Visitation is
also from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, with Rosary at 4:30 p.m.,
at D.O. McComb & Sons Lakeside Park Funeral Home, 1140 Lake Ave.
In lieu of flowers, memorials to Masses, Cancer Services of Allen
County or Visiting Nurse & Hospice Home.
Published in the Fort Wayne Newspapers on 10/7/2004.
___________________________________________________________________
+ THOMAS FRANCIS REITH
Born: November 10, 1927, Kokomo, Indiana
Parents: Marion and Joseph Reith
Brothers: David, Joseph
Died: May 27, 1945, Fort Wayne, Indiana [May 14, according to Crown
Point Cemetery records online and obituary records at the Kokomo
Tribune (http://www.kokomo.lib.in.us/glhs/obits1936-47/R.html)]
Burial: Crown Point Cemetery, Kokomo, Indiana
Tommy was developmentally handicapped from birth and spent the latter
part of his life hospitalized in Fort Wayne. A Mass of the Angels was
annually celebrated for him at St. Joan of Arc.
___________________________________________________________________
+ WILLIAM JOHN REITH
Born: June 7, 1910, Kokomo, Indiana
Parents: Ida and Joseph Reith
Brothers/Sisters: Albert, Emil, Herman, John, Joseph, Josephine,
Lewis, Karl, Rose
Spouse: Mary Catherine Day Reith
Children: Barbara, Mark, Michael, Nicholas, Paul, Richard, William
Died: May 20, 1985, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Burial: Catholic Cemetery, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Uncle Bill farmed all his life at various places around Indiana,
including Arcadia and Fort Wayne. Aftewr retiring in 1980, he
continued living on the farm on Grisamer Road in Fort Wayne except
for the winter months, when he and Aunt Mary went to Florida.
Father Herman said the mass of Christian Burial for his brother.
AIDAN MCGLENNEN
234 North Jackson Street
Evans City, Pennsylvania 16033
Phone: 724/538-3035
Email:
Born:
Parents: Cynthia Reith McGlennen and David McGlennen
Brother/Sister: Andrew, Evan, Molly, Meghan
___________________________________________________________________
ALEXANDER JAMES REITH
Born: April 13, 1993
Parents: Michael and Tami Moore Reith
___________________________________________________________________
AMANDA DAWN REITH
403 Winesap Drive
Lafayette, Indiana 47905
Phone: 765/447-1037
Born: May 7, 1984, Kokomo, Indiana
Parents: Brian Reith; April Reith
Sisters: Stacey Davis, Ashley Davis
A fan of the Dalls Cowboys, Dawn enjoys softball, reading, and
rollerblading, and is a member of the gifted program in her school.
___________________________________________________________________
AMY BETH REITH
P.O. Box 197, Route 6
Warsaw, Indiana 46580
Phone: 219/267-6789
Email:
Birth: 1967
Parents: Debbie and Paul Reith
Brother/Sister: Cindy, Troy
Graduate of Wauwasee High School in Syracuse.
___________________________________________________________________
AMY LYNN REITH
___________________________________________________________________
AMY REITH SUMMERS
11852 Laurel Oak Drive
Indianapolis, Indiana 46236
Phone:
Email:
Born:
Parents: Julia and Robert Reith
Sisters: Amy, Rhonda
Spouse: Nick Summers
___________________________________________________________________
ANDREW BUCKLEY DIPPEL
Lothian, Maryland
Phone:
Email:
Born: August 27, 1992
Parents: Susan Reith and William Dippel
Brothers: William Christopher and Matthew McCrea
___________________________________________________________________
ANDREA REITH
Parents: Michael and Tami Moore Reith
___________________________________________________________________
ANDREW MCGLENNEN
3536 East County Road, 1200
Roanoke, Indiana 46783
Phone: 219/672-3756
Email:
Born:
Parents: Cynthia Reith McGlennen and David McGlennen
Sisters: Meghan, Molly
___________________________________________________________________
ANGELA MARY REITH
1832 Apollo Drive
Huntertown, Indiana 46748
Phone: 219/637-6042
Email:
Born: April 27, 1976, Auburn, Indiana
Parents: Carolyn and William Reith
Brothers/Sisters: Daniel, Diane, Donald, Jeffrey, Philip, Timothy
Attended St. Vincent's School. She was a baton twirler with
All-America City Majorettes group and particfipated in the Angela
and New Haven parades and was with a group that took first place in
the Three Rivers Festival. DId she evr get to the Junior Orange
Bowl Parade in Miami, FLorida, in 1987?
___________________________________________________________________
ASHLEY DAVIS
403 Winesap Drive
Lafayette, Indiana 47905
Phone: 765/447-1037
Born: May 7, 1984, Kokomo, Indiana
Parents: Cheryl Reith, Brian Reith
Sisters: Stacey Davis, Amanda Reith
A collector of American Girls dolls, Ashley is a Cubs and Packers
fan who enjoys visiting her great grandmother's farm.
___________________________________________________________________
BARBARA ROSE REITH VAN ROOYEN
Chicago, Illinois
Phone:
Email:
Born: January 25, 1950, Elwood, Indiana
Parents: Mary and William Reith
Brothers: Mark, Michael, Nicholas, Paul, Richard, William
Spouse: Ted Van Rooyen
Children: Barbie Mangan, Laura Mangan (with Edmund Mangan)
Barbara is a graduate of Fort Wayne Central Catholic High School
and is a tennis buff and member of the Wildwood Tennis Club. She
is the only daughter among Mary and Bill's kids. Her life has been
an extremely mobile one, having lived in over a dozen different
places.
___________________________________________________________________
BARBIE MANGAN
1842 Marietta Drive
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46804
Phone:
Email:
Born:
Parents: Barbara Rose Reith Mangan and Edmund Mangan
Brothers/Sisters: Laura Mangan
___________________________________________________________________
BRANDON D. KURAS
911 Hickory Creek Court
Metamra, Illinois 61548-9089
Born: May 23, 2002
Parents: Brian and Becky Kuras
___________________________________________________________________
BRANDON MICHAEL REITH
2 Dolores Drive
Wilmington, Delaware 19810
Born: September 17, 2003, Wilmington, Delaware
Parents: Christopher Mark Reith and Marylou Weeks Reith
Updated: November 15, 2004
___________________________________________________________________
BRIAN ATKINSON
499 E. 114th Street
Carmel, Indiana 46032
Phone: 317/846-7411
Email:
Born:
Parents: Madonna Reith Atkinson
Brothers/Sister: Jeff, Kim, Timothy
___________________________________________________________________
BRIAN DEAN KURAS
4601 W. Lynnhurst Drive
Peoria, Illinois 61615
Phone: 309-689-0669
Email: [email protected]
Born: February 4, 1972, Columbus, Indiana
Parents: Lois Reith Kuras and Bob Kuras
Sisters: Jennifer, Sarah
Spouse: Becky (Married Setpember 11, 1999)
Graduated from Milwaukee School of Engineering, two degrees,
BSME & BSEE. Played tennis and ice hockey and was a good
student in high school and also enjoyed playing with computers.
He obviously put this to good use in college! Brian and
Becky are expecting their first child in June, 2002.
3/31/2002
___________________________________________________________________
BRIAN PATRICK REITH
403 Winesap Drive
Lafayette, Indiana 47905
Phone: 765/447-1037
Email: Brian Reith: [email protected]
Birth: January 16, 1963, Kokomo, Indiana
Parents: Edward Reith; Arletta Reith
Spouse: Cheryl Reith
Children: Amanda, Stacey, Ashley
Brian works as a project leader at Subaru-Isuzu Automotive in
Lafayette, IN. He enjoys staying physically active with racquetball,
weight lifting, and running. Brian also enjoys visiting Fr. Herman
at Notre Dame regularly and listening to the fascinating stories
about his life and Notre Dame he has to tell. Brian was once
a manager at McDonald's in Kokomo and in earlier profiles included
juggling and magic among his hobbies, including being featured on
television and in the newspapers.
Updated: March 31, 2001
___________________________________________________________________
THE BROHMANS
Grandmother Ida Reith brought three children, Frank, Louis, and Mary
Brohman, from Germany and raised them. They came to America after
their father was killed, sometime after World War I. Their mother
remarried and had another daughter; that daughter, however, along with
the mother, remained in Germany. (I don't know whether the three
children came before their mother remarried or after that.)
Frank Brohman married Mary Trottier. Their son, Francis, died in the
1990's at about the age of 60 in Colorado.
Louis Brohman went to Purdue University, became an electrical engineer,
and later lived in Chicago.
Mary Brohman married and had a daughter, Rosalyn.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From conversation with Uncle John on 4/8/1996:
Mary Brohman became Mary Bailey. Frank Brohman was a first cousin to
Uncle John since his (Frank's) mother was Grandma (Ida) Reith's sister.
After World War I, Germany was an impoverished country, with starvation
rampant. Frank's father was shot and killed by guards when he was caught
stealing food out of a warehouse. The mother then remarried and had a
son, Willie (who was about the same age as Uncle John). Willie joined
the German army and was sent off to the Russian front during World War II.
His unit was captured, with some of the survivors apparently being sent to
Siberia. He was not heard from for over twenty years, but eventually was
released by the Russians. He then returned to Germany and became a
successful banker.
Question: did the mother, upon remarriage, have both a son (Willie),
as well as a daughter (mentioned above)? This is the first time that
Grandmother Ida Reith is specifically identified as having a sister
(other than the one born during her mother's childbirth death).
Another question: someone in the family - perhaps a Brohman and perhaps
Frank, had something to do with the construction of the Coliseum in
Fort Wayne. Does anyone know anything about this?
_________________________________________________________________
CAROLYN FRANCES RELUE REITH
1832 Apollo Drive
Huntertown, Indiana 46748
Phone: 219/637-6042
Email:
Born: October 8, 1940, Kokomo, Indiana
Spouyse: William John Reith
Children: Angela, Daniel, Diane, Donald, Jeffrey, Philip, Timothy
Carolyn is a graduate of Fort Wayne Central Catholic High School
and has worked at St. Joseph Hospital from 1958 to 1967 and
later at K Mart. She is a member of St. Vincent de Paul Church
and is a Eucharistic Minister.
___________________________________________________________________
CATHERINE MARIE REITH BALBACK
568 Hemingway Drive
Hockessin, Delaware 19707
Phone: 302/239-5466
Email:
Born: November 28, 1948, Wilmington, Delaware
Parents: Betty and John Reith
Brothers/Sisters: Christopher, Kevin, Michael, Susan, Timothy
Catherine graduated from the University of Delaware with a
degree in mathematics. She has been a teacher as well as working
working in statistical analysis. During Uncle John's illness,
Cathy was a constant caregiver for him.
Updated: November 11, 2008
___________________________________________________________________
CATHERINE (KATE) MARY REITH HOLBERT
4603 Chateau Court, SW
Wyoming, Michigan 49509
Phone: 616/538-0767
Email: [email protected]
Born: July 14, 1945
Parents: Charlotte and Lewis Reith
Brother/Sisters: Dennis, Laura, Lois
Spouse: Dan Holbert
Children: Ben, Mark, Tim
___________________________________________________________________
CHARLENE REITH
1827 Pemberton
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46805
Phone: 219/420-4619
Email:
Born:July 30, 1959
Parents: Carol and Dennis Reith
Brothers/Sisters: Dennis Renicker; Cindy, Kimberly, Lewis
___________________________________________________________________
CHERYL REITH
403 Winesasp Drive
Lafayette, Indiana 47905
Phone: 765/447-1036
Email: [email protected]
Birth:
Spouse: Brian Patrick Reith
Children: Amanda, Stacey, Ashley
3/31/2001
_____________________________________________________________________
CHERYL REITH CORRELL
920 Road, 200 N, Lot 13
Warsaw, Indiana 46580
Phone:
Email:
Born:
Parents: Richard Reith; Joann Reith
Brother/Sisters: Judy, Kathy, Richard, Theresa
Spouse:
Works at Choretime in Milford, Indiana, and lives at Lake Wauwasee.
___________________________________________________________________
CHRISTOPHER R. REITH
2247 Whitney Place
Kettering, Ohio 45420
Phone:
Email: Christopher Reith: [email protected]:
Born: March 10, 1971, LaPorte, Indiana
Parents: Rita Lee Reith and James Philip Reith
Brothers: Erich, Michael
Spouse: Amy Lynn Reith
Children: Corey and Jamie
___________________________________________________________________
CHRISTOPHER REITH
9308 Hefflefinger Road
Churubusco, Indiana 46723
Phone: 219/693-9327
Email:
Born:
Parents: Jackie and Mark Reith
Brother/Sisters: Noelle, Patrick, Stephanie
___________________________________________________________________
CHRISTOPHER MARK REITH
2 Dolores Drive
Wilmington, Delaware 19180
Phone: 302/478-5378
Email: [email protected]
Born: August 1, 1966, Wilmington, Delaware
Parents: Betty and John Reith
Brothers/Sisters: Catherine, Kevin, Michael, Timothy, Susan
Spouse: Marylou Weeks Reith
Children: Nicholas John and Brandon Michael
Christopher is a graduate of the University of Delaware and holds
a Master's degree in Civil Engineering and a license as a Professional
Engineer; he currently works as a geotechnical engineer in an
environmental company in which he is vice-president and principal.
He and Marylou have great kids in Nicholas and Brandon.
Updated: August 11, 2007
___________________________________________________________________
CINDY REITH
P.O. Box 197, Route 6
Warsaw, Indiana 46580
Phone: 219/267-6789
Birth:
Parents: Debbie and Paul Reith
Brother/Sister: Amy, Troy
Graduate of Wauwasee High School in Syracuse.
___________________________________________________________________
CLAIRE C. TOBIN PYNCHON
3323 Butler Court
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46808
Phone: 219/483-7822
Email:
Born: May 24, 1963, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Parents: Suzann Reith Tobin and Donald Tobin
Brothers: Phillip A. and Paul E.
Claire was an elementary education major at Ball State University
and subsequently taught at St. Mary's School, Avilla (Noble County),
Indiana.
___________________________________________________________________
COREY REITH
___________________________________________________________________
CYNTHIA (CINDY) REITH MCGLENNEN
3536 East County Road, 1200 North
Roanoke, Indiana 46783
Phone: 219/672-3756
Email: Cindy Reith McGlennen: [email protected]
Born: Aprl 7, 1962
Parents: Dennis Reith; Kathleen Reith Hattendorf
Brother/Sister: Lewis, Kimberly
Spouse: David McGlennen
Children: Meghan, Andrew, Molly
Very much interested in the family, Cindy worked in the
insurance industry.
___________________________________________________________________
DAVID CARL REITH
232 Pinnacle Lane
Plainfield, Indiana 46168
Email:
Born: June 12, 1962, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Parents: Marie and Jack Reith
Brother: Michael
Spouse: April Schober Smith Reith
Children: Madeline Leigh and Morgan Lane (identical twins and daughters of
Rita Leslie Green Reith)
A graduate of Wayne High School in Fort Wayne and Indiana University,
Bloomington, David is employed by the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
as Assistant Manager of the Shelbyville Road store in Louisville.
___________________________________________________________________
DAVID FISCHER
10943 W. 200 S., R. R. 1
Russiaville, Indiana 46979
Phone: 317/883-5888
Email:
Born:
Parents: Becky Reith Fischer and Tom Fischer
David works for Public Service of Indiana
___________________________________________________________________
DAVID JEROME REITH
520 Harvey Street
Kent, Ohio 44240-2705
Phone: 330/673-3146 (home) or 330/687-0925 (cell)
Email: David Reith: [email protected]
Website: http://home.earthlink.net/~dmreith.html
Born: February 7, 1941, Kokomo, Indiana
Parents: Marion Katherine Beer and Joseph Stephen Reith
Brothers: Joseph, Thomas
Spouse: Mary Joan Knisely Reith (Married August 17, 1963)
Child: John David
David grew up in Hamilton, Ohio, and holds degrees from the
University of Oklahoma, Miami University, Kent State University,
and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; and attended
Notre Dame, Michigan State, and the University of Delhi (India).
He is a geographer and specializes in South Asia. His interest
in amateur radio was inspired by Gooby, who gave him his first
receiver - a Hallicrafters S-38C, and has held the callsign of
W8HFY since 1955. The family lived in India in 1969-70, when
David was a student at Delhi University. He later returned in
summers as a Fulbright Fellow, as the co-director of an academic
program, and to do degree research. Has also been to Iceland
seven times, including 2007. Here is his immediate family on
August 22, 2002 (l-r, David, Mary, John, and Sharon).
Updated: August 11, 2007
___________________________________________________________________
DEBBIE CHILDERS REITH
3816 N. 400 E.
Warsaw, Indiana 46580
Phone: 574/267-6789 and 574/267-2782
Email:
Born:
Children: Amy, Cindy, Troy
Spouse: Paul Reith
Debbie is very active at Sacred Heart Church, where she is one of the
RCIA coordinators. She is also a realtor with the Lucas Realtors, the
largest agency in Kosciusko County
___________________________________________________________________
DENNIS F. REITH
2720 Sherborne Blvd.
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46805
Phone: 260/482-7058; 260/833-6735
Email:
Born: March 19, 1936
Parents: Charlotte and Lewis Reith
Sisters: Catherine (Kate), Laura (Lori), Lois
Spouse:
Children: Charlene, Cindy, Kimberly, Lewis; David Renicker
Denny went to school at Indiana Tech in Fort Wayne and worked
for Indiana and Michigan, an electric utility company. He
enjoys water skiing, fishing, and getting away occasionally
to a cottage on Lake Gage. His family anecdote: "As I was
growing up, my dad would occasionally state that part of 'my
problem' was that 'You think you know more than the Lord.'
My reply was reported to be that both of us (Dad and I) 'knew
more than the Lord.' -- two generations! I can now rport a
rare event -- my kids have acomplished the same feat -- so
we now have three generations in the same family, all reported
to know more than the Lord! Maybe the Reith clan is extra
special! No blasphemy intended." Dennis now lives in the old
house his mother formerly had.
Updated: May 12, 2002
___________________________________________________________________
DIANE MARIE REITH
1832 Apollo Drive
Huntertown, Indiana 46748
Phone: 219/737-6042
Email:
Born: April 29, 1971, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Parents: Carolyn and William Reith
Brothers/Sisters: Angela, Daniel, Donald, Jeffrey, Phillip, Timothy
Diane attended Bishop Dwenger High School, where she was a member
of the band, concert band, latin Club, and Yacht Club. She's also
a rock fan.
___________________________________________________________________
DONALD PAUL REITH
1832 Apollo Drive
Huntertown, Indiana 46748
Phone: 219/737-6042
Email:
Born: March 18, 1973, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Parents: Carolyn and William Reith
Brothers/Sisters: Angela, Daniel, Diane, Jeffrey, Phillip, Timothy
Went to St. Vincent's. Was a wrestling fan.
___________________________________________________________________
DOUGLAS MICHAEL REITH
9423 Maple Road
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Phone: 260/749-0910
Email:
Born: July 29, 1975, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Parents: Sandy and Harry Reith
Brothers/Sister: Gregory, Karl, Kristy
Doug used to play the trombone in the high school band and also
played hockey.
___________________________________________________________________
EDWARD HERMAN REITH
3923 East Road, 400 S.
Kokomo, Indiana 46902
Phone: 317/452-0535
Email:
Born: October 11, 1940, Kokomo, Indiana
Parents: Ann and Emil Reith
Brother/Sisters: Judith, Madonna, Rebecca, Robert
Spouse: Ilene Reith
Child: Brian
Eddie worked as a manager for Chrysler Corporation.
___________________________________________________________________
ELLEN JANE REITH GRANTHAM
R.R. 2, Box 186 C, 1241 N, 1094 E
Greentown, Indiana 46936
Phone: 1-800-999-5894 (4) (330) - Solidarity Credit Union
Email: Ellen Jane: [email protected]
Born: November 3, 1941, Kokomo, Indiana
Parents: Mary and Albert Reith
Brother: James
Spouse: Darrell Grantham
Children: Tim and Jeff Howard and Julie Sones
___________________________________________________________________
ERIC REITH
62 Edgewater Drive
Pembroke, Massachusetts 02359
Phone:
Email:
Born:
Parents: Rita and James Reith
Brothers: Chris, Michael
___________________________________________________________________
ERIC MICHAEL REITH
1709 Veale Road
Wilmington, Delaware 19810
Phone:
Born: May 12, 1985, Wilmington, Delaware
Parents: Kathy and Michael Reith
Brother: Mark Russel Reith
The first child of Kathy and Michael.
___________________________________________________________________
EVAN MCGLENNEN
234 North Jackson Street
Evans City, Pennsylvania 16033
Phone: 724/538-3035
Email:
Born:
Parents: Cynthia Reith McGlennen and David McGlennen
Brother/Sister: Aidan, Andrew, Meghan, Molly
___________________________________________________________________
GREGORY THOMAS REITH
9423 Maple Road
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Phone: 260/749-0910
Email:
Born: February 10, 1978, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Parents: Sandy and Harry Reith
Brothers/Sister: Douglas, Karl, Kristy
___________________________________________________________________
HARRY REITH
2807 Maplecrest Road
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46815
Phone: 260/492-2100 (home), 260/486-6515 (office)
Email:
Born:
Parents: Marie and Karl Reith
Brothers/Sisters: Jack, Suzann, Thomas
Spouse: Sandy Reith
Children: Douglas, Gregory, Karl, Kristy
Harry graduated from Marian College in Indianapolis and then
received a DDS degree from Indiana University; he practices
dentistry in Fort Wayne and has edited the local dentistry
association newsletter. Harry has obtained family records from
Aunt Rose, Uncle Herman, and others, and is the family genealogist.
___________________________________________________________________
IRENE HILGER REITH
8808 O'Day Road
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46818
Phone: 219/489-5767
Email: Irene Reith: [email protected]
Born: March 27, 1942, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Spouse: Nicholas Reith
Children: Jessica, John, Karen, Mary Jo, Nicholas, Rose Marie,
Sharon
Irene comes from a family known for truck farming in northern
Indiana; they specialized in potatoes. Irene has run the bakery
at the Hilger family farm market for many years. She is an
elementary teacher with a degree from St. Francis College and has
participated in educational programs in Ugana and elsehwere in East
Africa.
___________________________________________________________________
JACKIE B. LAMARCHE REITH
9308 Hefflefinger Road
Churubusco, Indiana 46723
Phone: 219/693-9327
Email:
Born: June 21, 1948, Worcester, Massachusetts
Spouse: Mark R. Reith (Married 1970)
Children: Christopher, Noelle, Patrick, Stephanie
Jackie is a graduate of Quinsigamond Community College and attended
Loyola University in Chicago. She met Msark in Washington, DC.
Now employed as an underwriter with Waterfield Mortgage.
___________________________________________________________________
JAMES PHILIP REITH
1001 Starkey Rd Lot 448
Largo, FL 33771
(727) 530-4502
Email: James Reith: [email protected]
Born: Aprl 15, 1938, Kokomo, Indiana
Parents: Mary and Albert Reith
Sister: Ellen Jane
Spouse: Rita Reith
Children: Chris, Eric, Michael
Now retired, Jimmy worked for Cabot Corporation and was been assigned to
several different offices and plants throughout Indiana, Ohio,
Michigan, and Massachusetts. He is a graduate of Notre Dame, where
he majored in music.
___________________________________________________________________
JAMIE REITH
___________________________________________________________________
JEAN REITH
516 Ridgeview Drive
West Ridge
Hockessin, Delaware 19707
Phone: 302/234-0649
Email:
Born:
Spouse: Kevin Reith
___________________________________________________________________
JEFF ATKINSON
499 E. 114th Street
Carmel, Indiana 46032
Phone: 317/846-7411
Email:
Born:
Parents: Madonna Reith Atkinson
Brothers/Sister: Brian, Kim, Timothy
___________________________________________________________________
JEFF HOWARD
R. R. 2, Box 186 C
Greentown, Indiana 46936
Phone: 317/628-7268
Email:
Born:
Parents: Ellen Jane Reith Howard
Brother/Sister: Julie, Tim
Jeff served with the U.S. Air Force in Japan
___________________________________________________________________
JEFFREY MICHAEL REITH
1832 Apollo Drive
Huntertown, Indiana 46748
Phone: 219/637-6042
Email:
Born: December 19, 1969, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Parents: Carolyn and William Reith
Brothers/Sisters: Angela, Daniel, Diane, Donald, Philip, Timothy
Went to Carroll High School and worked at the White Swan Grocery
when he was young. Liked to hunt and worked on crs and small engines.
___________________________________________________________________
JENNA BROOK MILLER
484 Tamarack Drive
Noblesville, Indiana 46060
Phone:
Email:
Born: July 28, 1974, Lafayette, Indiana
Parents: Kimberlee Reith Miller and Tim Miller
Sisters: Jodi Blair and Jessaline Ashley
___________________________________________________________________
JENNIFER ANN KURAS TOKAR
1411 S. Courtland Avenue
Park Ridge, Illinois 60068
Phone: 847/292-9952
Email: [email protected]
Born: October 24, 1969, Columbus, Indiana
Parents: Lois Reith Kuras and Bob Kuras
Brother/Sister: Brian, Sarah
Spouse: Andrew Tokar (Married February 21, 1998)
Child: Ethan
Jennifer is a graduate of St. Norbert College in DePere,
Wisconsin.
Updated: March 31, 2002
___________________________________________________________________
JENNY BALBACK
568 Hemingway Drive,
Hockessin, Delaware 19707
Phone: 302/239-5466
Email:
Born:
Parents: Cathy Marie Reith and Robert Balback
Brother/Sister: Laura, Robbie
___________________________________________________________________
JESSICA REITH BOARD
Birth:
Parents: Sarah and Timothy Reith
Brother: Michael David
Spouse: Travis Board
Children: Taylor Ann, Keeley Madison
Updated: October 23, 2004
___________________________________________________________________
JESSICA REITH
8808 O'Day Road
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46818
Phone: 219/489-5767
Email:
Born: September 19, 1979, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Parents: Irene and Nicholas Reith
Brothers/Sisters: John, Karen, Mary Jo, Nicholas, Rose Marie,
Sharon
Attended Queen of Angels School in Fort Wayne.
___________________________________________________________________
JESSALINE ASHLEY MILLER
484 Tamarack Drive
Noblesville, Indiana 46060
Phone:
Email:
Born: September 19, 1977, Lafayette, Indiana
Parents: Kimberlee Reith Miller and Tim Miller
Sisters: Jodi Blair and Jenna Brook
___________________________________________________________________
JODI BLAIR MILLER HENDRICKSON
9308 Jutland Court, Apt. A
Indianapolis, Indiana 46250
Phone: 317-372-1329
Email: [email protected]
Born: July 6, 1976, Lafayette, Indiana
Parents: Kimberlee Reith Miller and Tim Miller
Sisters: Jenna Brook and Jessaline Ashley
Spouse: Chris Hendrickson
Jodi got married in Summer, 2003, to Chris Hendrickson.
___________________________________________________________________
JOHN REITH
8808 O'Day Road
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46818
Phone: 219/489-5767
Email:
Born: May 19, 1967, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Parents: Irene and Nicholas Reith
Brothers/Sisters: Jessica, Karen, Mary Jo, Nicholas, Rose Marie,
Sharon
John graduated from Wabash College, where he held a scholarship,
played on the football team, and majored in business.
___________________________________________________________________
JOHN DAVID REITHPhoto
3206 NW 23rd Terrace
Gainesville, Florida 32605
Phone: 352/374-0889 (home) or 352/395-3372 (office)
Email: John David Reith: [email protected]
Born: November 23, 1967 (Thanksgiving Day), Urbana, Illinois
Parents: Mary and David Reith
Spouse: Sharon Hook (Married July 2, 1994, Tampa, Florida)
John is a graduate of Kent State University and the Northeastern
Ohio Universities College of Medicine (NEOUCOM). He spent four
years in residency at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and one year
each at the University of Michigan Medical School and Montefiore
Hospital in the Bronx. He then taught for one year at the University
of Miami (Florida) and is now in his ninth year and is Associate
Professor at the University of Florida School of Medicine. John
is a board-certified anatomic and clinical pathologist and specializes
in the pathology of the musculoskeletal system. He has taught at the
University of Beijing (China) and the University of Brasilia (Brazil).
He played high school golf and baseball and continues to play golf
(usually breaking 80 - but he does better on the second hole). He is
also involved in fantasy football, plays on a roller blade hockey team,
and has run several marathons in Orlando with Team in Training.
Updated: November 11, 2008
___________________________________________________________________
JOSEPH JACOBS
15646 Mayer
Allen Park, Michigan 48101
Phone: 313/928-2815
Email:
Born:
Parents: Mary Hazel Reith Jacobs Balogh
Now living in California
___________________________________________________________________
JUDITH THERESA REITH
4016 Caminito Davila
San Diego, California 92122
Phone: 858/457-0207
Email: Judy Reith: [email protected]
Born: July 19, 1939, Kokomo, Indiana
Parents: Ann and Emil Reith
Brothers/Sisters: Edward, Madonna, Rebecca, Robert
Judy did her undergraduate work at St. Mary's College in South Bend
and her graduate work at San Diego State University. She taught
biology and physical sciences at a high school in San Diego; she is
an avid photographer of the natural environment, especially around
San Diego; she used the slides for instructional purposes. In
recent years, Judy added an immediate family with the care of two
biological sisters who had been orphaned. Hobbies? Bridge, movies
and theatre, and shopping. She retired at the end of the 2001-2001
school year. A trip home to Indiana in the summer of 2004 to see
her sisters and borhter also included visits to many of her cousins,
to South Bend to visit Father Herman, and visits to friends
Updated: July 1, 2004
Note: Today (August 15, 2004), I talked with Judy about the Glass
Works that Aunt Rose's husband, Cecil, owned. She remembered that
the Depression caused the loss of that plant Cecil then moved to
the farm in Center. Aunt Rose's house there had door knobs of glass
and a kitchen tile floor of glass made at the factory. She also had
a beautiful bowl on her dining room buffet that came from the Glass
Works. I am not certain if this is the same Glass Works or not, but
there is a website of a company with a similar name in Kokomo at
this address .
August 15, 2004
___________________________________________________________________
JUDY REITH
613 Park Terrace
Columbia City, Indiana 46725
Phone:
Email:
Born:
Parents: Richard Reith; Joann Reith
Brother/Sisters: Cheryl, Kathy, Richard, Theresa
Works at Genaco.
___________________________________________________________________
JULIA A. THARP (JUDY) REITH
903 South Clark
Kokomo, Indiana 46901
Phone: 317/452-8472
Email:
Born:
Spouse: Robert Reith (married August 16, 1958)
Children: Amy, Marcy, Rhonda
___________________________________________________________________
JULIE SONES
2612 Cornell
Lawton, Oklahoma 73505
Phone:
Email:
Born:
Parents: Ellen Jane Reith Howard
Brothers: Jeff, Tim
___________________________________________________________________
KAREN REITH
8808 O'Day Road
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46818
Phone: 219/489-5767
Email:
Born: March 2, 1966, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Parents: Irene and Nicholas Reith
Brothers/Sisters: Jessica, John, Mary Jo, Nicholas, Rose Marie,
Sharon
A graduate of Indiana University, Bloomington, where she majored
in business and mathematics.
___________________________________________________________________
KARL FRANCIS REITH
9423 Maple Road
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Phone: 260/749-0910
Email:
Born: January 1, 1971 (New Year's Day), Fort Wayne, Indiana
Parents: Sandy and Harry Reith
Brothers/Sister: Douglas, Gregory, Kristy
Karl plays the saxophone and was a band member in high school and
was also a member of the national Honor Society there. He used to
be interested in falconry and owned a Red-tailed Hawk, which
required the obtaining of many government permits.
___________________________________________________________________
KATHY ANN RUSSELL REITH
9800 Rod Road
Alpharette, Georgia 30202
Phone: 770/664-7563
Email:
Born: September 13, 1952, Williamsport, Pennsylvania
Spouse: Michael John Reith
Children: Eric Michael, Mark Russell
Kathy is a graduate of Brandywine College in Wilmington,
Delaware, and formerly worked as an executive secretary with ICI
Americas, Inc. (how did she get that by Uncle John?). She
enjoys bowling, needlepoint, and bicycling.
___________________________________________________________________
KATHY DEWITT REITH
2034 Pauline
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Phone: 219/422-1265
Email:
Born:
Spouse: Michael Francis Reith (Married August 10, 1985)
___________________________________________________________________
KATHY REITH LEDEW
920 Road, 200 N, Lot 13
Warsaw, Indiana 46580
Phone: 219/267-4699
Email: [email protected]
Born:
Parents: Richard Reith; Joann Reith
Brother/Sisters: Cheryl, Judy, Richard, Theresa
Spouse: Steve Ledew
Kathy served with the U.S. Air Force, including a post in Korea.
___________________________________________________________________
KEELEY MADISON BOARD
Birth:
Parents: Jessica Reith Board and Travis Board
Sister: Taylor Ann
Updated: December 8, 2004
___________________________________________________________________
KEVIN JAMES REITH
516 Ridgeview Drive
West Ridge
Hockessin, Delaware 19707
Phone: 302/234-0649
Email:
Born: November 17, 1961, Wilmington, Delaware
Parents: Betty and John Reith
Brothers/Sisters: Catherine, Christopher, Michael, Susan, Timothy
Spouse: Jean Reith
Kevin is a marketing represenative and senior computer specialist
with the Tandy Corporation in the Wilmington area. He and
brother Chris flew in to the family reunion in Fort Wayne in
August, 1987.
___________________________________________________________________
KIM ATKINSON
499 E. 114th Street
Carmel, Indiana 46032
Phone: 317/846-7411
Email:
Born:
Parents: Madonna Reith Atkinson
Brothers/Sister: Brian, Jeff, Timothy
___________________________________________________________________
KIMBERLEE ANN REITH MILLER
484 Tamarack Drive
Noblesville, Indiana 46060
Phone: Unlisted
Email: [email protected]
Born: June 2, 1950, Kokomo, Indiana
Parents: Loma and Joseph Reith
Spouse: Timothy Miller
Children: Jenna, Jessaline, Jodi
Kim is a graduate of Ball State University and Indiana University
and taught in Flora. She worked for the Howard County Welfare
Department and now does similar work in Noblesville. Her husband,
Tim, owns an architectural firm in Kokomo.
___________________________________________________________________
KRISTY REITH WAGESTER
9423 Maple Road
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Phone: 260/749-0910
Email:
Born:
Parents: Sandy and Harry Reith
Spouse:
Children:
Played the clarinet and was active in figure skating, completing
tests at several levels.
___________________________________________________________________
LAURA MANGAN
1842 Marietta Drive
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46804
Born:
Parents: Barbara Rose Reith Mangan and Edmund Mangan
Brothers/Sisters: Barbie Mangan
___________________________________________________________________
LAURA MICHELLE BALBACK
568 Hemingway Drive,
Hockessin, Delaware 19707
Phone: 302/239-5466
Email:
Born:
Parents: Cathy Marie Reith and Robert Balback
Brother/Sisters: Jenny, Robbie
___________________________________________________________________
LAURA (LORI) REITH BOGGS
8330 Sakaden Parkway
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Phone: 219/489-3418
Email:
Born: December 4, 1948
Parents: Charlotte and Lewis Reith
Brother/Sisters: Catherine, Dennis, Lois
Spouse: Paul Boggs
Children: Erin, Katie
___________________________________________________________________
LEWIS REITH
1827 Pemberton
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46805
Phone:
Email:
Born: April 3, 1965
Parents: Dennis Reith; Kathleen Reith Hattendorf
Sisters: Cynthia, Kimberly
___________________________________________________________________
LOIS REITH KURAS
Geneva Lake Manor
112 S. Curtis Street
Lake Geneva, Wisconsin 53147
Phone: 262-767-0902 [Robert's number]
Email: c/o Robert D. Kuras: [email protected]
or
5944 Christine Court
Burlington, Wisconsin 53105-6903
Born: July 25, 1941, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Parents: Charlotte and Lewis Reith
Brother/Sisters: Catherine (Kate), Dennis, Laura (Lori)
Spouse: Robert D. Kuras, 5944 Christine Court, Lyons, Wisconsin 53148
Children: Brian, Jennifer, Sarah
Lois did her undergraduate work at St. Mary's College in South Bend and
received the M.S. degree in Education from St. Francis College in
Fort Wayne. In July, 1986, Lois suffered a cerebral aneurysm and now
resides in a nursing home for the remainder of her life. Husband Bob
notes that she is a tower of strengh and a model of inspiration for all
of us; he himself is a tower of support and a faithful member of the
Reith family.
Updated: December 1, 2002
_______________________________________________________________
MADONNA M. REITH ATKINSON
499 E. 114th Street
Carmel, Indiana 46032
Phone: 317/846-7411
Born: July 18, 1937
Parents: Ann and Emil Reith
Brothers/Sisters: Edward, Judy, Rebecca, Robert
Children: Brian, Jeff, Kim, Timothy
Madonna worked as an underwriter with the Fireman's Fund Insurance
Companies in Indianapolis for many years. She has several
grandchildren.
___________________________________________________________________
MADELINE LEIGH REITH
Born: June 5, 1990
Parents: David Carl Reith; Rita Leslie Green Reith
Sister: Morgan Lane (twin)
Madeline is a varsity softball player a Brownsburg High School near
Indianapolis and plays volleyball as well. She is planning on
attending Southern Indian University upon graduation.
Updated: November 11, 2008
___________________________________________________________________
MARCY REITH BROWN
2308 West Maple Street
Kokomo, Indiana 46901
Phone: 317/452-7602
Email:
Born:
Parents: Julia and Robert Reith
Sisters: Amy, Marcy
Spouse: Cary
Child: Blake
___________________________________________________________________
MARIE LOUISE PENZONE REITH
7526 Kingsway Drive
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46819
Phone: 219/747-5874
Email: Marie Louise Reith: [email protected]
Born: August 21, 1936, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Spouse: Karl John (Jack) Reith
Children: David, Michael
Marie graduated from Central Catholic High School in Fort Wayne and
was the office manager for Walker G. Mulligan, Inc., a food brokerage
owned by Thomas Reith.
___________________________________________________________________
MARK R. REITH
9308 Hefflefinger Road
Churubusco, Indiana 46723
Phone: 219/693-9327
Email:
Born: July 31, 1947, Kokomo, Indiana
Parents: Mary and William Reith
Brothers/Sister: Barbara, Michael, Nicholas, Paul, Richard, William
Spouse: Jackie Lamarche Reith (Married 1970)
Children: Christopher, Noelle, Patrick, Stephanie
Mark is a general foreman at the Bentz Metal Company.
___________________________________________________________________
MARK RUSSELL REITH
1709 Veale Road
Wilmington, Delaware 19810
Phone:
Born: August , 1987, Wilmington, Delaware
Parents: Kathy and Michael Reith
Brother: Eric Michael Reith
___________________________________________________________________
MARTHA REITH
4316 Woodhurst Blvd.
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46807
Phone: 219/456-6660
Email:
Born: April 13, 1971, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Parents: Pamela and Thomas Reith
Brother/Sister: Timothy, Martha
Martha attended Bishop Luers High School in Fort Wayne.
___________________________________________________________________
MARY JO REITH
8808 O'Day Road
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46818
Phone: 219/489-5767
Email:
Born: December 3, 1974, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Parents: Irene and Nicholas Reith
Brothers/Sisters: Jessica, John, Karen, Nicholas, Rose Marie, Sharon
Attended Queen of Angels School in Fort Wayne.
___________________________________________________________________
MARY JOAN KNISELY REITH
520 Harvey Street
Kent, Ohio 44240-2705
Phone: 330/673-3146 (home) or 330/687-0925 (mobile)
Email: Mary Knisely Reith: [email protected]
Born: February 25, 1941, Kokomo, Indiana
Spouse: David Jerome Reith (Married August 17, 1963)
Child: John David Reith
Mary retired in 2000 after thirty-two years of teaching high
school English in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio. Her
last twenty-seven years were at Theodore Roosevelt High School
in Kent, Ohio, where she also served as the department chair.
She is a graduate of Kokomo High School, Ball State University,
Miami University, and Kent State University; is a Kentucky
Colonel; was a Fulbright Fellow to India in 1986; and is
unsurpassed as a crossworder and birdwatcher.
___________________________________________________________________
MARYLOU WEEKS REITH
2 Dolores Drive
Wilmington, Delaware 19180
Phone: 302/478-5378
Email: [email protected]
Born: September 8, 1967, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Spouse: Christopher Mark Reith
Child: Nicholas John and Brandon Michael
Marylou previously worked as a paralegal but is now a full-time
at home with Nicholas and Brandon. She enjoys serious, quality
reading, e.g., New York Times best-sellers, at home and fun
stuff at the beach!
Updated: August 11, 2007
___________________________________________________________________
MATTHEW MCCREA DIPPEL
Lothian, Maryland
Phone:
Email:
Born: February 26, 1988
Parents: Susan Reith and William Dippel
Brothers: William Christopher and Andrew Buckley
___________________________________________________________________
MEGHAN MCGLENNEN
234 North Jackson Street
Evans City, Pennsylvania 16033
Phone: 724/538-3035
Email:
Born:
Parents: Cynthia Reith McGlennen and David McGlennen
Brother/Sister: Andrew, Molly
___________________________________________________________________
MICHAEL REITH
1305 Greenacres Drive
Kokomo, Indiana 46901
Phone: 765/883-5568
Email: Michael Reith: [email protected]
Born: March 21, 1967, South Bend, Indiana
Parents: Rita and James Reith
Brothers: Chris, Eric
Spouse: Tami Moore Reith (Married 1987)
Children: Andrea and Alexander
Mike graduated from Oakland City University with MS in Human Resource
Management. He currently is a sergeant first class in the U.S. Army as a
military policeman. His present assignment is with the Indiana Army National
Guard out of Delphi, Indiana.
___________________________________________________________________
MICHAEL DAVID REITH
11 Waldon Lane
Farmingdale, New York 11738
Phone: 516/467-6210
Email:
Birth:
Parents: Sarah and Timothy Reith
Sister: Jessica
___________________________________________________________________
MICHAEL FRANCIS REITH
2034 Pauline
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Phone: 219/422-1265
Email:
Born: March 22, 1954, Arcadia, Indiana
Parents: Mary and William Reith
Brothers/Sister: Barbara, Mark, Nichollas, Paul, Richard, William
Spouse: Kathy DeWitt Reith (Married August 10, 1985)
After graduating from Fort Wayne Central Cathaolic High School,
Michael has been farming and also working at the Bentz Metal Company.
___________________________________________________________________
MICHAEL JOHN REITH
9800 Rod Road
Alpharetta, Georgia 30202
Phone: 770/664-7563
Email:
Born: May 3, 1951, Wilmington, Delaware
Parents: Betty and John Reith
Brothers/Sisters: Catherine, Christopher, Kevin, Susan, Timothy
Spouse: Kathy Ann Russell Reith
Children: Eric Michael, Mark Russell
Michael is a graduate of Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem,
North Carolina, and has a law degree from Nova University, Fort
Lauderdale, Florida. A member of the Delaware Bar Association,
he currently works in administration in Atlanta, where he also
enjoys racquetball, basketball, and bicycling.
___________________________________________________________________
MICHAEL JOSEPH REITH
Indianapolis, Indiana
Phone:
Email:
Born: December 12, 1964, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Parents: Marie and Jack Reith
Brother: David
Spouse: Jennie Michelle Smith Reith
Children: Nicholas Bryant, Patrick Karl
Graduate of Wayne High School in Fort Wayne and Indiana University
Updated: November 11, 2008
___________________________________________________________________
MICHELE REITH
2150-1A Equestrian Drive
Miamisburg, Ohio 45342
Phone: 513/436-3087
Email:
Born: June 26, 1963, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Parents: Pamela and Thomas Reith
Brother/Sister: Timothy, martha
Michele graduated from Miami (Ohio) University in December, 1985,
and was later employed at Reynolds and Reynolds Company in Dayton
as a programmer using the automation skills she learned at Miami.
___________________________________________________________________
MOLLY MCGLENNEN
3536 East County Road, 1200 North
Roanoke, Indiana 46783
Phone: 219/672-3756
Email:
Born:
Parents: Cynthia Reith McGlennen and David McGlennen
Brother/Sister: Andrew, Meghan
___________________________________________________________________
MORGAN LANE REITH
Born: June 5, 1990
Parents: David Carl Reith; Rita Leslie Green Reith
Sister: Madeline Lane (twin)
Morgan is a varsity softball player a Brownsburg High School near
Indianapolis and plays volleyball as well. She is planning on
attending Southern Indian University upon graduation.
Updated: November 11, 2008
___________________________________________________________________
NICHOLAS REITH
8808 O'Day Road
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46818
Phone: 219/489-5767
Email:
Born: July 7, 1938, Kokomo, Indiana
Parents: Mary and William Reith
Brothers/Sisters: Barbara, Mark, Michael, Paul, Richard, William
Spouse: Irene Hilger Reith
Children: Jessica, John, Karen, Mary Jo, Nicholas, Rose Marie,
Sharon
Nick was employed by Zollner's, a manufacturer of pistons, for
many years and was a foreman there. He is an avid hunter who
also enjoys working on automobiles.
___________________________________________________________________
NICHOLAS JOHN REITH
2 Dolores Drive
Wilmington, Delaware 19810
Born: December 12, 1998
Parents: Christopher John Reith and Marylou Weeks Reith
Brother: Michael Brandon Reith
Nicholas is a kinderarten student at Brandywood Elementary School.
November 15, 2004
___________________________________________________________________
NICHOLAS REITH, Jr.
8808 O'Day Road
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46818
Phone: 219/489-5767
Email:
Born: June 26, 1963, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Parents: Irene and Nicholas Reith
Brothers/Sisters: Jessica, John, Karen, Mary Jo, Rose Marie,
Sharon
___________________________________________________________________
NICHOLAS BRYANT REITH
Born: June 26, 1991
Parents: Michael Joseph Reith; Lindy Denise Holt
Brother: Patrick Karl Reith
Nicholas is a junior at Westfield High School in the Indianapolis area.
___________________________________________________________________
NOELLE REITH
9308 Hefflefinger Road
Churubusco, Indiana 46723
Phone: 219/693-9327
Email:
Born:
Parents: Jackie and Mark Reith
Brothers/Sister: Christopher, Patrick, Stephanie
___________________________________________________________________
PAMELA REITH
4316 Woodhurst Blvd.
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46807
Phone: 219/456-6660
Email:
Born:
Spouse: Thomas H. Reith
Children: Martha, Michele, Timothy
___________________________________________________________________
PATRICK REITH
9308 Hefflefinger Road
Churubusco, Indiana 46723
Phone: 219/693-9327
Email:
Born:
Parents: Jackie and Mark Reith
Brother/Sisters: Christopher, Noelle, Stephanie
___________________________________________________________________
PATRICK KARL REITH
Born: October 26, 1993
Parents: Michael Joseph Reith; Lindy Denise Holt
Brother: Nicholas Bryant Reith
Patrick is a Freshman at Westfield High School, near Indianapolis.
___________________________________________________________________
PAUL REITH
3816 N. 400 E
Warsaw, Indiana 46580
Phone: 574/267-6789 and 574/267-2782
Email: Paul Reith: [email protected]
Born:
Parents: Mary and William Reith
Brothers/Sisters: Barbara, Mark, Michael, Nicholas, Richard, William
Spouse: Debbie Childers Reith
Children: Amy, Cindy, Troy
Paul is a graduate of Purdue University and long served as a
vice-president of the First National Bank of Warsaw in Milford.
He is now a registered real estate appraiser. The family lives
on a farm in northern Indiana's lake country, where they raise
hogs and do some ice fishing and put the pool to good summer use.
___________________________________________________________________
PAUL E. TOBIN
3323 Butler Court
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46808
Phone: 219/483-7822
Email:
Born: October 11, 1966, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Parents: Suzann Reith Tobin and Donald Tobin
Brother/Sister: Claire C., Phillip A.
Attended Bishop Dwenger High School in Fort Wayne and graduated
from Indiana University, Bloomington.
___________________________________________________________________
PHILIP REITH
1832 Apollo Drive
Huntertown, Indiana 46748
Phone: 219/737-6042
Email:
Born: July 4, 1978 (Fourth of July)
Parents: Carolyn and William Reith
Brothers/Sisters: Angela, Daniel, Diane, Donald, Jeffrey, Timothy
___________________________________________________________________
PHILLIP A. TOBIN
3323 Butler Court
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46808
Phone: 219/483-7822
Email:
Born: February 1, 1965, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Parents: Suzann Reith Tobin and Donald Tobin
Brother/Sister: Claire C., Paul E.
Graduated from Indiana University, Bloomington. His
principal interest is in Parks and Recreation and he has
worked for a landscaper.
___________________________________________________________________
PHYLLIS REITH
920 Road, 200 N, Lot 13
Warsaw, Indiana 46580
Phone: 219/267-4699
Birth:
Spouse: Richard Reith
Children:
___________________________________________________________________
REBECCA (BECKY) ANN REITH FISCHER
10943 W. 200 S., R.R. 1
Russiaville, Indiana 46979
Phone: 317/883-5888
Born: December 13, 1935, Kokomo, Indiana
Parents: Ann and Emil Reith
Brothers/Sisters: Edward, Judy, Madonna, Robert
Spouse: Tom Fischer
Children: David, Steve
Becky and Tom owned and operated a luxury limousine service in
the Kokomo area for many years - the first of its kind in town.
Tom, who was active in union affairs with Stellite, recently
died.
___________________________________________________________________
RHONDA REITH BRANTLEY
1720 Osage Drive, North
Kokomo, Indiana 46901
Phone: 317/864-9115
Email:
Born:
Parents: Julia and Robert Reith
Sisters: Amy, Marcy
Spouse: Paul Brantley
___________________________________________________________________
RICHARD REITH
920 Road, 200 N, Lot 13
Warsaw, Indiana 46580
Phone: 219/267-4699
Email:
Birth:
Parents: Mary and William Reith
Brothers/Sisters: Barbara, Mark, Michael, Nicholas, Paul, William
Spouse: Phyllis
Children: Cheryl, Kathy, Judy, Richard (Rick), Theresa
Dick works for Choretime in Milford, Indiana, and enjoys fishing
and the outdoors.
___________________________________________________________________
RICHARD (RICK) REITH
920 Road, 200 N, Lot 13
Warsaw, Indiana 46580
Phone: 219/267-4699
Email:
Born:
Parents: Richard Reith; Joann Reith
Sisters: Cheryl, Judy, Kathy, Theresa
___________________________________________________________________
RITA REITH
35 Holly Drive
Franklin, Ohio 45005
Phone: 937/743-0668
Email:
Born:
Spouse: James Reith
Children: Chris, Eric, Michael
Rita is an administrative assistant for a medical professional hiring firm.
___________________________________________________________________
RITA LESLIE GREEN REITH
Email:
Born: June 21, 1963, Norfolk, Virginia
Spouse:
Children: Madeline Leigh and Morgan Lane (identical twins)
Rita graduated from Brownsburg, Indiana, High School and Indiana
University, Bloomington, where she met David. She is a captain with
the Indianapolis Fire Department.
Updated: November 11, 2008
___________________________________________________________________
ROBBIE BALBACK
568 Hemingway Drive,
Hockessin, Delaware 19707
Phone: 302/239-5466
Email:
Born: 1975
Parents: Cathy Marie Reith and Robert Balback
Sisters: Jenny, Laura
___________________________________________________________________
ROBERT KURAS
5944 Christine Court
Burlington, Wisconsin 53105-6903
Phone: 262-767-0902
Email: c/o Robert D. Kuras: [email protected]
[Add]
Updated:
___________________________________________________________________
SANDRA (SANDY) REITH
9423 Maple Road
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Phone: 260/492-2100
Email: Sandy Reith: [email protected]
Website: http://www.regalmaltese.com
Born:
Spouse: Harry
Children: Douglas, Gregory, Karl, Kristy
Sandy's background is in surgical nursing, but she also owned and
operated the Sweet Scents Floral business in Fort Wayne. Currently she
and Harry are involved with showing their championship dogs (see
this website.
___________________________________________________________________
SARAH LYNN KURAS MARCUCCI
1409 N. Northwest Highway
Park Ridge, Illinois 60068
Phone: 847/318-0370
Email: [email protected]
Born: May 20, 1975, Columbus, Indiana
Parents: Lois Reith Kuras and Bob Kuras
Brother/Sister: Brian, Jennifer
Spouse: David Marcucci (Married Juily 2, 1999)
Graduated from St. Norbert College, DePere, Wisconsin, with
a teaching degree like mother, Lois. Met husband David
Marcucci her senior year at St. Norbert. When she was small,
Sarah was known as "Bear" and was involved in tennis, piano,
and water skiing.
Updated: March 31, 2002
___________________________________________________________________
SARAH REITH
479 Island Pointe Lane
Moneta, Virginia 24121
Phone: 540/721-5629, 540/314-9008
Email:
Born:
Spouse: Timothy Paul Reith
Children: Jessica Reith Board, Michael David
Updated: October 23, 2004
___________________________________________________________________
SHARON (SHARI) REITH
8808 O'Day Road
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46818
Phone: 219/489-5767
Email:
Born: May 14, 1969, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Parents: Irene and Nicholas Reith
Brothers/Sisters: Jessica, John, Karen, Mary Jo, Nicholas,
Rose Marie
Sharon graduated from Carroll High School in Fort Wayne in 1987
and then attended Indiana University - Fort Wayne. She was
interested in elementary education and was considering Ball State.
___________________________________________________________________
SHARON YVONNE HOOK
3206 NW 23rd Terrace
Gainesville, Florida 32605
Phone: 352/374-0889
Email: Sharon Hook: [email protected]
Born: Tampa, Florida
Spouse: John David Reith (Married July 2, 1994, Tampa, Florida)
Sharon is a graduate of the University of South Florida and the
Southeastern School of Health Sciences. A physician, she is a
pathologist with a regional hospital in Gainesville and specializes
in cytology. She also comes from a German family and speaks the
language.
___________________________________________________________________
STACEY DAVIS
403 Winesap Drive
Lafayette, Indiana 47905
Phone: 765/447-1037
Born: May 7, 1984, Kokomo, Indiana
Parents: Cheryl Reith, Brian Reith
Sisters: Ashley Davis, Amanda Reith
Enjoys sports, the Miami Dolphins and the Chicago Bulls, and
plays the clarinet.
___________________________________________________________________
STEPHANIE REITH
2530 Medford
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46803
Phone: 260/486-6515
Email:
Born:
Parents: Jackie and Mark Reith
Brother/Sisters: Christopher, Noelle, Patrick
___________________________________________________________________
STEVE FISCHER
10943 W 200 S, R. R. 1
Russiaville, Indiana 46979
Phone: 317/883-5888
Email
Born:
Parents: Becky Reith Fischer and Tim Fischer
Brother: Dave
Spouse:
Children:
Steve works at what used to be the Cabot Corporation in Kokomo
and has two sons who are nine and four years old.
___________________________________________________________________
SUSAN LOUISE REITH DIPPEL
5828 Conte Drive
Lothian, Maryland 20711
Phone: 301/867-0279 or 410/867-2619
Susan Reith Dippel: [email protected]
Born: March 4, 1954, Wilmington, Delaware
Parents: Betty and John Reith
Brothers/Sisters: Catherine, Christopher, Kevin, Michael, Timothy
Spouse: William Dippel
Children: Andrew Buckley, Matthew McCrea, William Christopher
Susan received her B.A. in Fine Arts from Gettysburg College in
1976. She has lived in Maryland for the last twenty-five years
and used to operate a graphics art business under the name srd.
Husband Bill started a lumber and hardware business, R Lumber,
with its own warehouse and computer operations.
Here is a picture of Susan and
her dad at Holy Cross House in 2003.
Updated: September 11, 2006
___________________________________________________________________
TAMMI RENEE MOORE REITH
1305 Greenacres Drive
Kokomo, IN 46901
(765) 883-5568
Tami Reith: [email protected]
Born:
Spouse: Michael Reith (Married July 11, 1987)
Children: Andrea and Alexander
___________________________________________________________________
TAYLOR ANN BOARD
Birth:
Parents: Jessica Reith Board and Travis Board
Sister: Keeley Madison
Updated: December 8, 2004
___________________________________________________________________
THERESA REITH
Springfield, Ohio
Phone:
Born:
Parents: Richard Reith; Joann Reith
Brother/Sisters: Cheryl, Judy, Kathy, Richard
___________________________________________________________________
THERESA SCHMITZ REITH
920 Road, 200 N, Lot 13
Warsaw, Indiana 46580
Phone: 219/267-4699
Birth:
Spouse: Rick Reith
Children:
Theresa has also lived with husband Rick Reith at Air Force bases
in Alaska and Grissom Air Force base, Indiana.
___________________________________________________________________
THOMAS H. REITH
4316 Woodhurst Blvd.
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46807
Phone: 219/456-6660
Email:
Born: March 18, 1938, Kokomo, Indiana
Parents: Marie and Karl Reith
Brothers/Sister: Harry, Karl (Jack), Suzann
Spouse: Pamela Reith
Children: Martha, Michele, Timothy
Tom is a food broker in Fort Wayne with his own company, Walker G.
Mulligan, Inc.
___________________________________________________________________
TOM FISCHER
Born: July 5, 19xx
Parents: Becky Reith Fischer and Tom Fischer
___________________________________________________________________
TIM HOWARD
R. R. 2, Box 186 C
Greentown, Indiana 46936
Phone: 317/628-7268
Email:
Born:
Parents: Ellen Jane Reith Howard Grantham
Brother/Sisters: Jeff, Julie Sones
___________________________________________________________________
TIMOTHY ATKINSON
499 E. 114th Street
Carmel, Indiana 46032
Phone: 317/846-7411
Email:
Born:
Parents: Madonna Reith Atkinson
Brothers/Sister: Brian, Jeff, Kim
___________________________________________________________________
TIMOTHY REITH
4316 Woodhurst Blvd.
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46807
Phone: 219/456-6660
Email:
Born: August 25, 1964, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Parents: Pamela and Thomas Reith
Sisters: Martha, Michele
Tim graduated from Miami (Ohio) University in December, 1986,
with a degree in Marketing.
___________________________________________________________________
TIMOTHY PAUL REITH
479 Island Pointe Lane
Moneta, Virginia 24121
Phone: 540/721-5629, 540/314-9008
Email: [email protected]
Born: November 6, 1952, Wilmington, Delaware
Parents: Betty and John Reith
Brothers/Sisters: Catherine (Kate), Christopher, Kevin, Michael,
Susan
Spouse: Sarah Reith
Children: Jessica Reith Board, Michael David
Timothy is a Taco Bell franchise manager and a restaurant (bar)
owner who loves water, boats, fishing, and travel. Finally, he
is a Virginia Tech fan (that probably means especially football).
Updated: October 23, 2004
___________________________________________________________________
TIMOTHY WILLIAM REITH
1832 Apollo Drive
Huntertown, Indiana 46748
Phone: 219/637-6042
Email:
Born: March 7, 1968, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Parents: Carolyn and William Reith
Brothers/Sisters: Angela, Daniel, Diane, Donald, Jeffrey, Philip
Graduated from Bishop Dwenger High School in 1986 and then
attended Purdue University, where he majored in Engineering. In
1983, he traveled to Germany with his eighth grade class. Enjoys
sports and worked for the White Swan grocery when he was young.
___________________________________________________________________
TROY REITH
P.O. Box 197, Route 6
Warsaw, Indiana 46580
Phone: 219/267-6789
Email:
Birth: 1967
Parents: Debbie and Paul Reith
Sisters: Amy, Cindy
Studied at Indiana University, Bloomington.
___________________________________________________________________
WILLIAM CHRISTOPHER DIPPEL
211 Biggs Purchase Lane
Lothian, Maryland 20711
Phone:
Email:
Born: June 11, 1990
Parents: Susan Reith and William Dippel
Brothers: Matthew McCrea and Andrew Buckley
___________________________________________________________________
WILLIAM JOHN REITH
1832 Apollo Drive
Huntertown, Indiana 46748
Phone: 219/637-6042
Email:
Born: October 8, 1940, Kokomo, Indiana
Parents: Mary and William Reith
Brothers/Sisters: Barbara, Mark, Michael, Nicholas, Paul, Richard
Spouse: Carolyn Relue Reith (Married November 12, 1966)
Children: Angela, Daniel, Diane, Donald, Jeffrey, Philip, Timothy
Served with the U.S. Navy from 1962 to 1966 in the Caribbean,
England, Spain, France, Italy, Viet Nam, Hong Kong, Japan, and the
Phillipines. Moved from Auburn to Huntertown in 1977. Belongs
to St. Vincent de Paul Church and is a Eucharistic Minister.
Celebrated twenty-five years of employment with the General Electric
Company in March, 1987.
FUN REITH FACTS
There is a place called Reith in Austria. It is a resort area
in the Tyrol, near Innsbruck.
The Reith surname ranks in the 18,029 among all family names in the United
States, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. See the U.S. Census Bureau.
We are in the botton quartile of name popularity.
There is an English-speaking Reith family in addition to the
German-speaking (including Dutch, Austrian, and other
nationalities) branch. The most famous British Reith was
Sir John Reith, a dour Scotsman who was head of the
British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in its early days.
One theory on the dual Reith names is that the family was
originally from the British Isles. During the Crusades, many of
them went to the Middle East. However, upon return, they failed
to make it all the way home and stopped in Germany-speaking
territories - perhaps near where Reith, Austria (mentioned above),
is today and thus the German Reiths became established. This
theory was related to David J. Reith by John Reith of Santa Barbara,
California (no relation).
The father of Maarten Reith (Dutch) of Peoria, Illinois, produced
a genealogy of the family in German. David J. Reith has talked
with Maarten, who believes the British Reiths are descendants of
the German branch.
The British, including Scots, pronounce the name to rhyme with "Keith."
Most, but not all, German speakers pronounce it as "Wright," with some
kind of aspiration at the end.
There are at least two people in the United States who use the name
"Reith" as a given (first) name. One of these is Reith K. Paine of
Sacramento, California; he is named for a Scottish seaman who jumped
ship in Sacramento and took up gold panning in the 49'ers rush. The
other person is Reith XXXXXXXX of Pennsylvania (who is on AOL).
Sidney George Reith of Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada, has a
wealth of information on British Reith genealogy. He regularly
goes to Scotland and England in search of information.
There is a Reith Elementary School in Sacramento, California;
see this address:
http://www.egusd.k12.ca.us/district/reith.htm
Among the famous Reiths of the world today is Hon. Peter Reith, a
member of the Australian legislature and a cabinet member (and
very controversial).
At Goshen College is the Reith Recital Hall. Does
anyone know the source of its name?
THE MEANING OF THE NAME
Eldon C. Smith, NEW DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN FAMILY NAMES (New York:
Harper and Row, 1973), p. 422: Reith, Reath (Ger.) One who came
from Reith (cleared forest, courtyard), the name of many places in
Germany.
_______________________________________________________________
J.B. Rietstap, ARMORIAL GENERAL, Vol. II, L-Z (Baltimore:
Genealogical Publishing Co., 1965), p. 548: Reith - P. de Cologne
(M. et au 17s siecle.) Coupe: au 1 de gu. une etolle d'arg.,
accostee de deux coquilles du meme; au 2 d'arg. a une coquille de
du, accostee de deux etolle du meme. Reith - Nuremberg. De du
a un cheval naiss.d;arg.; le champ chape, a dextre de du. a une
rose d'arg., a sen. d'arg. a une rose de gu.; au chev. d'or, br.
sur la division; a la champagne de gu., ch. d'une rose d'arg.
Cq. cour C.: le cheval, iss. L d'arg, et de gu [Sorry that I
do not have the fontset for the diacritical marks.]
_______________________________________________________________
From ancestry.com
reith
Scottish: of uncertain origin; possibly a reduced form of McCreath
(see McRae).
German: habitational name from any of several places named with riute
�forest clearing�. Compare Reiter, Reuter.
POPULARITY OF THE REITH NAME IN THE UNITED STATES
From the U.S. Census Bureau
Names Search Results
(NOTE: Information for specific individuals is not available.)
NAME (last) %FREQ CUMM FREQ RANK
REITH 0.001 77.062 18029
How To Read The Results: An example
If we searched for the last name, Moore, we would find that the name ranks
9th in terms of frequency. 5.312 percent of the sample population is
covered by MOORE and the 8 names occurring more frequently than MOORE.
The surname, MOORE, is possessed by 0.312 percent of our population sample.
